Small Group Tours
Our group tour itineraries are extensively researched and infused with
personal contacts and resources.
Our escorts are experts in the field of interest and region of the tour.
These are travel experiences you would not be able to create on your own.
Besides all that, you will be well taken care of and can leave all your stress at home!
ASIA - click for index of all Asia tours
Bhutan
Tsechus are religious festivals that depict Buddhist teachings. Masked dances are performed to instruct the onlookers in the
ways of dharma. All festivals are manifestations of the Buddhist teachings. The festival performances are in the mornings, leaving afternoons for
sightseeing. We visit monasteries, sacred sites, bazaars, and small villages; enjoying the breath-taking Himalayas and local culture.
Paro Festival/ Tibet Extension: Spring Starting in Calcutta, we travel overland to Gangtok, Sikkim and Darjeeling, arriving in Paro to experience the Paro Festival -- music and masked dances. Visit monasteries, markets, sacred sites as we travel the country; easy walks; enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the himalayas. Detailed Itinerary
Thimphu and Bumthang Festivals: Fall We attend Thimphu Drupchen,
Thimphu Tsechu and Tangbi Mani. Thimphu Tsechu, which follows the Drukpa Kayugpa lineage, is one of the grandest tsechus in Bhutan. During the Drupchen,
the deities are prayed to and dances are performed only by monks in costume, while in the tsechu, the dances are performed by monks and secular
people. Tangbi Mani in Bumthang follows the Nyingmapa lineage. The principles of Buddhism play an important role in the artistic tradition within
the country. Art techniques are based on principles in the scriptures which have been handed down over the ages from master to student. Our
group participants may elect to attend a special art class at the famed School of Traditional Arts & Crafts in Thimphu led by art master
Asha Kama. This is an exciting opportunity to really become a part of the culture during your visit.
Detailed Itinerary
Burma
We are committed to the Burmese people and their struggle for democracy. We work with an independent company owned by two Burmese
women whom you will be delighted to meet. We feel that informed travelers can have a positive impact on the future of this beautiful country.
Art , Culture & Tribal Life of Burma: January and February
Explore art, architecture and culture of ancient cities and tribal villages on this insightful journey. Our escort Daw Khin Myo Lwin (we call her
Rosie) gives us an insiders view into Burma's hidden art and cultural treasures. Includes: Bagan, Mandalay, Mt. Poppa; triabl villages: Inle Lake,
Mrauk U, Wethali, Sittwe. Detailed Itinerary
Buddhist Pilgrimage (Phaung Daw U Festival): September-October TBA
Includes the ceremonial Phaung Daw U Festival (Pagoda Festival) in Inle Lake. Visit monasteries, pagodas, ancient cities
and tribal villages. Yangon, Kyaikhto, Bagan, Mandalay. Escorted by Daw Khin Myo Lwin. Detailed
Itinerary
China, Tibet & Mongolia
China and Tibet: Spring and Fall Join us for a one week highlights tour of mainland China including Beijing, Xian, Guilin and the Long Shend County rie terrace villages followed by in-depth exploration of Tibet, ending in Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, you can fly home, add more days to visit Nepal or add an extension to Bhutan. Detailed Itinerary
Sisters' Rice Festival of Guizhou: Spring and Fall The Miao minority Sisters' Rice Festival is a celebration of spring and of love. Dressed in finest embroidered and appliqued clothing, adorned in all their freshly shined silver jewelry, young women set out to attract a suitable mate. That's the traditional goal, but fun is the name of the game! Festival days are filled with dancing, singing, eating, and drinking lots of rice wine. Detailed Itinerary
Mongolia: Naadam Festival: July 9-23 We begin with arrival in Ulaanbaatar where we celebrate Naadam with the locals -- horsemanship, marksmanship and all skills necessary for nomadic people. The journey takes us to sacred mountains, monasteries, pristine lakes and hot springs. Opportunities to interface with nomadic families as well as monks. Detailed Itinerary
INDIA - click for index of all India tours
Viêt Nam
North to South: Cultural & Historic Highlights: Spring and Fall
From north of Hanoi to Saigon, explore tribal villages, historic monuments, art, architecture, ancient ruins and life on the Mekong Delta. This
comfortable journey covers all the highlights of an extensive tour in only 15 days. If you have more time, add a tour to Cambodia and or Laos. Please
inquire for details! Tour Highlights - Detailed Itinerary
Arabian Peninsula: United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman
February, October, December/January
We start with arrival in United Arab Emirates (UAE) where we spend two days touring and enjoying the natural beauty of
the coast and beaches. From here we travel overland to Muscat, Oman visiting three additional Emirates enroute. The Oman tour loops around and back to Dubai where w etake a flight to Sanaa Yemen. You may join us for Oman or Yemen separately. If time and interest allow, continue
on with us to Ethiopia. Detailed Itinerary
AFRICA - click for index
Egypt and Jordan: Spring and Fall Retrace
the footsteps of the ancent civilizations of Egypt, Nabatean, the Greeks and the Romans. The two week tour of Egypt includes Cairo, St. CatherineÕs
Monastery in the Sinai and a cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. One week extension to Jordan includes Amman, Jerash and Petra. Escorted by
veteran 25 year tour leader Marc Kupper.
Trip Highlights - Detailed Itinerary
Morocco: Spring and Fall Journey through this unique cultural portal with former peace corp volunteer Paula Jeane, and truly meet the people. There will be an interactive forum in Rabat between our group and the local muslims, facilitated by Paula Jeane and Farah Cherif/director of Center for Cross-cultural Learning. Includes Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakesh, visits to several Berber villages and a closing retreat at Essaouira, a coastal town. Detailed Itinerary
South Africa: Culture & Wildlife: Spring and Fall Enjoy spectacular game viewing, rich cultures, and unsurpassed scenery. Winelands, the Garden route, Victoria Falls, small villages and townships offer diverse experiences. Choose active outdoor activities or relax in the natural beauty. Detailed Itinerary
Ethiopia: November thru February North, East and South - an in-depth journey traveling through the ancient lands of Koka, Sodore and Nazereth, the historic route and exploring tribal cultures of Omo Valley. Spectacular scenery, mosques and monasteries, colorful markets, abundant wildlife. Detailed Itinerary
Sudan: Winter Follows Ethiopia tour. An adenturesome journey of ancient historical sites and nomadic/tribal cultures; vast desert and the grand Nile River. Once we leave Khartoum, accommodation is tents. Detailed Itinerary
EUROPE- click for index
Czech Republic: Spring and Fall
The gateway cities Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Berlin are easy for people to navigate independently with good hotel rates available on the internet
and great public transport for seeing the sights. We are developing short excursions outside each of these cities which take you into the countryside,
away from the hordes of tourists. Guaranteed departures with min 2 people. Detailed Itinerary
Bulgaria: Guaranteed departures April-June and Sep-Oct
Nestling at the heart of Central Europe, Bulgaria is a land of unspoilt natural beauty, where time has been known
to stand still. Experience Bulgarian traditions and culture in the unique rhythm, melody and harmony of the Bulgarian folk songs and chants; in
the merry and healthy joye-de-vivre atmosphere of the rites and celebrations; the beauty of the handicrafts, finely woven in the ceramic vignettes
and wood carvings, colorful rugs and hammered copper-ware; in the exquisite taste of Bulgarian cuisine and in the fine aroma of Bulgarian wines.
The tour visits nine Bulgarian wonders - seven cultural and two natural sites - included on the UNESCO List of World
Heritage. Detailed Itinerary
Romania: Myths & Magic: April-June and September-November (follows Bulgaria tour)
This journey features all the richness and diversity Romania has to offer:painted monasteries,
wooden churches,palaces and castles, village life,folklore,
crafts, UNESCO sites. Detailed Itinerary
Jewish Heritage of Poland: Fall
Jewish communities have existed in Poland since the tenth century. At the beginning of the 20th century, Poland's Jews were 3.3 million strong and
the center of Eastern European Jewish culture. The Holocaust brought the annihilation of nearly 90% of Polish Jews. Today Poland is alive with an
explosion of Polish-Jewish culture everywhere. Jewish records and books are in every store, Jewish lectures, music concerts and Yiddish theater
are common. Join us on this tour rediscovering Polish-Jewish history. From Warsaw we venture on day excursions to Tykocin and Lodz and then head
out for Kracow visiting Kazimierz Dohny, Lublin and Lancut enroute. Detailed
Itinerary
Albania Summer and Fall
Historic and cultural sites, gorgeous landscape. This is a relaxing vacation infused with art, archecture, archaeology
and fun! Follows our Romania April tour and preceeds our May Turkey tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Turkey Cultural Journey Spring and Fall
Turkish baths, swirling dervishes, natural hot springs, pristine beaches and natural bauty intertwine with our
exploration of ancient art, culture and history on this in-depth tpur. Includes: Istanbul and boat cruise up the Bosphorus Strait, Troy, Pergamon,
Izmir, Ephesus, Sardis, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara and Bursa. Detailed
Itinerary
Please visit the site often as the site continues to build with new programs and valuable travel information added almost daily.
Also visit Spirit of India for travel to India and Spirit of Asia Travel for the rest of Asia.
check back often as we continue to add additional unique journeys.
(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941all text & photos © 1997-08, Barbara Sansone
except where otherwise noted