Travel Packages

All Travel Packages

04 03 2025

Grant Charsley Australia Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Duomo, italy, Lake Como, Leaning Tower, Pisa, tour, Vatican City, Venice Canals

Price on request

Region: Italy
Activities: Sight-seeing Tours
Dates: Year Round
Duration: Differs

For more information on dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

Italy

Overview:

Italy is a dream destination, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, Italy has something for everyone. From the ancient ruins of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice and the artistic masterpieces of Florence, each city tells its own unique story. The country is also famous for its rich culinary traditions, offering world-renowned dishes such as pasta, pizza, and gelato. Whether dining in a small trattoria or enjoying a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Italian cuisine is an experience in itself. Pair your meal with a glass of fine Italian wine from regions like Tuscany or Piedmont for the perfect taste of Italy.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal times to visit. The weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds are manageable. Summer can be hot, especially in southern regions, while winter offers a quieter experience, ideal for exploring cities and indulging in seasonal festivities.

Top Destinations

– Rome: The Eternal City boasts the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican.
– Venice: A magical city with its famous gondolas and stunning canals.
– Florence: The birthplace of the Renaissance, home to Michelangelo’s David.
– Milan: Italy’s fashion capital, known for its shopping and Gothic cathedral.
– Amalfi Coast: A breathtaking coastline dotted with picturesque villages.
– Sicily: A mix of ancient history, pristine beaches, and delicious cuisine.

Cultural Experiences

Italy is home to a wealth of cultural traditions. From opera performances in Milan’s La Scala to traditional carnivals in Venice, there are numerous ways to immerse yourself in Italian heritage. Visit historic landmarks, explore local markets, and partake in wine tastings for an authentic experience.

Bookings

Follow the links below

Nice, Côte-d'Azur - City at night by Pierre Blaché

Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Sunset in Naples, Italy

An Enchanting Italian Holiday

Limatola Castle

Nestled in the Campania region, Limatola Castle is a breathtaking medieval fortress that offers visitors a glimpse into Italy’s rich history. Originally built as a defensive stronghold, it has since been transformed into a stunning venue hosting cultural events, medieval reenactments, and even luxurious accommodations. The castle’s well-preserved architecture, coupled with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, makes it a must-visit destination for history lovers and those seeking a fairy-tale-like experience.

More Details & Book Now

Medieval Southern Italy and Sicily

A visit to Naples is a journey through centuries of history, where ancient ruins, grand palaces, and vibrant street life blend seamlessly.

This unique program is for those who love medieval history and are curious of how the road to modern Italy started and who helped make it. We visit castles and fortifications, as well as soaring majestic cathedrals that combined Eastern with Western influences with Northern and Southern European traditions. We will also learn about the origins of the Italian language, visit a castle that was built in part to house the holy grail, and see how Sicily through its Byzantine and Arab cultural associations, was able to help lead Italy towards the Renaissance. And finally, we will discover how the foundation of the Norman kingdom of Sicily in large part played a role in the foundation of modern Italy.

More Details & Book Now

Limota Castle, Italy

Florence, Italy

Art, Wine and Cuisine in Italy

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Italy, where time-honored culinary traditions and fine wines blend seamlessly with centuries of history and culture. This 11-day adventure will take you to Rome, Florence, and Bologna—three iconic cities celebrated for their unique flavors and exceptional winemaking heritage.

From Rome’s rich pasta dishes and bold Lazio wines to Florence’s Tuscan delights paired with classic Chianti, and Bologna’s renowned gastronomy enhanced by Emilia-Romagna’s sparkling Lambrusco, every destination offers an unforgettable feast for the senses. Get ready to savor authentic local cuisine, experience exclusive wine tastings at prestigious vineyards, and fully immerse yourself in the art of Italian gastronomy.

More Details & Book Now

An Italian Mosaic

Led by an expert on Italy, Joseph Walker, this tour is called an Italian mosaic because it weaves together a journey through Italy’s hidden gems and iconic landmarks, revealing the country’s rich history in an engaging and immersive way.

Our adventure begins with the grandeur of ancient Rome, followed by an exploration of its renowned wine and olive oil industries. From there, we journey south along Italy’s picturesque coastline, where history and mythology intertwine. Along the Coast of Ulysses, we’ll visit charming medieval seaside villages, indulging in exquisite wine tastings.

Continuing to the Bay of Naples, we step into one of Italy’s most volcanic and legendary regions. The journey culminates in breathtaking Sorrento, followed by a walk through the ancient streets of Pompeii.

Throughout this unforgettable experience, we will savor some of Italy’s finest food and wine.

More Details & Book Now

Bay in Sorrento, Italy

Siena, Italy

Tuscany’s Timeless Castles and Vineyards

Experience the ultimate luxury with our exclusive Tuscan getaway. Nestled in the breathtaking heart of Chianti, Castello di Meleto sets the stage for an unforgettable journey where you’ll be treated like royalty. Savor the essence of Italian cuisine with a private cooking class, indulge in world-renowned Brunello wines in Montalcino, and explore the historic charm of Siena, Monteriggioni, and San Gimignano. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to immerse you in the elegance and rich heritage of Tuscany, ensuring a truly regal experience.

More Details & Book Now

Venice, Florence, and Rome by Rail

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy’s most iconic cities—Venice, Florence, and Rome—with the comfort and convenience of rail travel. Glide effortlessly between destinations as you immerse yourself in Italy’s rich history, world-renowned art, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking scenery. This seamless adventure lets you experience the very best of Italy, all while enjoying the charm and ease of train travel.

More Details & Book Now

View from Castel Sant Angelo, Rome, Italy

Venice, Italy

Discover the Best of Italy

More Details & Book Now

Discover Italy’s Main Cities

Discover Italy’s Best in Just 7 Days

Embark on a breathtaking journey through Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice, seamlessly connected by high-speed train. In just one week, experience the heart of Italy’s history, art, culture, and cuisine.

Rome – Step back in time as you explore the Colosseum, Vatican City, and charming piazzas, where ancient wonders meet vibrant city life.
Florence – Immerse yourself in Renaissance masterpieces, savor authentic Tuscan flavors, and wander through the city’s historic streets.
Venice – Glide through enchanting canals on a gondola ride, take in the beauty of St. Mark’s Square, and admire the city’s unique charm.
Milan – Conclude your adventure in Italy’s fashion capital, home to the majestic Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

With the efficiency of high-speed rail, every moment of your trip is dedicated to experiencing the magic of Italy’s most iconic cities—all in just one unforgettable week.

More Details & Book Now

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milano, MI, Italia

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Short Breaks in Rome

Rome: A Living Museum of History and Culture

Wandering through the streets of Rome is like stepping into a vast, open-air museum where every corner tells a story. This extraordinary city is home to not just one, but two capitals—the heart of Italy and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church, Vatican City, where pilgrims from around the world gather in St. Peter’s Square.

As one of the most photographed and visited destinations on the planet, Rome’s timeless beauty is undeniable. From the awe-inspiring Colosseum to the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, the artistic treasures of the Vatican Museums, and the breathtaking frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the Eternal City is a treasure trove of iconic landmarks waiting to be explored.

More Details & Book Now

Rome, Short Breaks

Rome: Where History, Art, and La Dolce Vita Collide

Italy’s capital is truly one of a kind—a city where ancient ruins meet modern vibrancy, and tradition blends seamlessly with progress. Nestled along the Tiber River in the Lazio region, Rome offers an experience like no other. Its romantic ambiance, rich history, and artistic treasures make it a destination that captivates every traveler.

No matter your passion—history, art, or gastronomy—Rome has something for everyone. Stand in awe of the Colosseum, climb the elegant Spanish Steps, and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck. Beyond its iconic landmarks, the city’s culinary scene is just as enchanting. Lose yourself in the hidden alleys and bohemian streets of Trastevere, where every bite is a celebration of life.

In Rome, la dolce vita isn’t just a saying—it’s a way of life. As the famous proverb goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”—and that means savoring every moment, every meal, and every step through this extraordinary city.

More Details & Book Now

Tiber River, Rome, Italy

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

Capri, Italy. View from Giardini di Augusto overlooking Scoglio Unghia Marina

27 02 2025

Grant Charsley Europe, Travel Packages Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Duomo, italy, Lake Como, Leaning Tower, Pisa, tour, Vatican City, Venice Canals

Price on request

Region: Italy
Activities: Sight-seeing Tours
Dates: Year Round
Duration: Differs

For more information on dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

Italy

Overview:

Best Time to Visit

Top Destinations

Cultural Experiences

Bookings

Follow the links below

Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Sunset in Naples, Italy

An Enchanting Italian Holiday

Limatola Castle

More Details & Book Now

Medieval Southern Italy and Sicily

A visit to Naples is a journey through centuries of history, where ancient ruins, grand palaces, and vibrant street life blend seamlessly.

More Details & Book Now

Limota Castle, Italy

Florence, Italy

Art, Wine and Cuisine in Italy

More Details & Book Now

An Italian Mosaic

Throughout this unforgettable experience, we will savor some of Italy’s finest food and wine.

More Details & Book Now

Bay in Sorrento, Italy

Siena, Italy

Tuscany’s Timeless Castles and Vineyards

More Details & Book Now

Venice, Florence, and Rome by Rail

More Details & Book Now

View from Castel Sant Angelo, Rome, Italy

Venice, Italy

Discover the Best of Italy

More Details & Book Now

Discover Italy’s Main Cities

Discover Italy’s Best in Just 7 Days

Rome – Step back in time as you explore the Colosseum, Vatican City, and charming piazzas, where ancient wonders meet vibrant city life.
Florence – Immerse yourself in Renaissance masterpieces, savor authentic Tuscan flavors, and wander through the city’s historic streets.
Venice – Glide through enchanting canals on a gondola ride, take in the beauty of St. Mark’s Square, and admire the city’s unique charm.
Milan – Conclude your adventure in Italy’s fashion capital, home to the majestic Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

With the efficiency of high-speed rail, every moment of your trip is dedicated to experiencing the magic of Italy’s most iconic cities—all in just one unforgettable week.

More Details & Book Now

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milano, MI, Italia

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Short Breaks in Rome

Rome: A Living Museum of History and Culture

More Details & Book Now

Rome, Short Breaks

Rome: Where History, Art, and La Dolce Vita Collide

More Details & Book Now

Tiber River, Rome, Italy

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

Picture of Prague Castle district, Hlavní město Praha, Czechia

10 06 2024

Grant Charsley Europe, Travel Packages 15-day tour, central europe, europe

Price on request

Region: Central & East Europe
Activities: Sight-seeing Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 15 days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

Itinerary

Overview:

Join us on our 15-day tour of Central and East Europe.

The historic cultural hubs and colourful folklore of Central & Eastern Europe take centre stage on this 15-day epic encounter with Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. You’ll witness the triumph of the human spirit, explore the medieval history of enchanting towns and cities and uncover the myths and legends that have shaped this multicultural crossroads at the heart of Europe.

Starting in Frankfurt we visit a medieval centre where half-timbered buildings and tiny taverns line cobbled lanes, medieval Römerberg. Then we go to Berlin by private car. Berlin is an exhilaratingly diverse city to explore. Leaving Berlin behind, we go to Poland. First stop is Poznań, then Warsaw which has risen with all the invigorating spirit of a phoenix after a recent tragic past. Next we head to the former Royal Capital of Krakow and pay a visit to the memorial site of the former concentration camp at Auschwitz. On to Slovakia bound for Hungary with our final destination of Budapest, which sits straddled on either side of the beautiful Danube. We continue our trip across the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia to Győr, a charming city which sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, midway between Budapest and Vienna. Visiting Vienna we discover the secrets and stories of this imperial city. Saying goodbye to Vienna, we travel north to the Czech Republic. First stop is the medieval town of Brno and we’ll pass through gorgeous green and gold landscapes, before arriving in Prague. Take a step back in time during your stop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber along Bavaria’s Romantic Road. Continue to Frankfurt, where we will enjoy a final toast and a farewell dinner to reminisce over an epic journey across the Bohemian countryside and capital cities.

More details can be found in the day-to-day itinerary.below …

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Arrive Frankfurt

Don’t let the glass and steel skyscrapers deceive you. At its heart, Frankfurt’s high-powered business hub communes with a warm medieval centre where half-timbered buildings and tiny taverns line cobbled lanes and the aroma of apple cider lingers around every turn. Here ‘Mainhattan’ meets medieval charm. In the afternoon you can take an orientation tour around the city’s dynamic financial centre and medieval Römerberg. See the Römer, which has served as Frankfurt’s city hall since the 15th century and admire the architecture that has been lovingly restored after World War II.

Day 2: Frankfurt – Berlin

Leaving the high-rises behind, you’ll journey across the North German Plain to the dynamic and energetic capital that is Berlin by private car. This bold capital wears its grittiness for all to see – edgy street art adorns the city’s ever-evolving façades and street food markets reveal a cosmopolitan line-up of cultures and cuisines that make Berlin an exhilaratingly diverse city to explore. Consider this evening to join an Optional Experience with good food, wine, beer and music followed by a twilight tour of some of Berlin’s beautiful illuminations.

Picture of Brandenburgh Gate, Berlin, Germany

Day 3: Berlin sightseeing and free time

There’s never a dull moment in Berlin. This city has endured more over the past century than most and yet you can almost feel its characteristic philosophy of ‘let the good times roll’ as you see the many iconic sites on Unter den Linden. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way or join an Optional Experience to uncover the secrets of the city’s World War II and Cold War past. You could even choose to venture beyond the city for a dinner of German specialties in the countryside.

Day 4: Berlin – Poznań – Warsaw

Close the curtain on your spirited encounter with Berlin and head east into Poland. Stop first in Poznań, one of the oldest cities in Poland and birthplace of the Polish nation. View its colourful market square and town hall where a curious battle between two iron goats to mark noon has taken centre stage above its clock for over five centuries. Then head to Poland’s modern metropolis of Warsaw which has risen with all the invigorating spirit of a phoenix after a recent tragic past.

Picture of Poznań, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland

Day 5: Warsaw sightseeing and free time

This morning, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to the 17th-century Baroque Wilanów Palace, once the summer home of King Jan Sobieski III. Then, dive into Warsaw’s turbulent past with a Local Specialist. Your sightseeing tour across this historic capital will reveal how the resilient Poles rebuilt their city after the destruction of World War II. Among others you’ll see St. John’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace in the Old Town as well as the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore your way, why not embark on an exploration of the Praga-Północ district, one of Europe’s coolest neighborhoods, including a visit to Poland’s first vodka museum.

Day 6: Warsaw – Auschwitz – Kraków

Today we travel by private car south towards the former Royal Capital of Krakow. We pay our respects to the survivors and victims of the Holocaust by visiting the memorial site of the former concentration camp at Auschwitz.

Picture of train tracks, Auschwitz, Germany

Day 7: Kraków sightseeing and free time

Today is all about uncovering the legendary history of this beautiful city. You’ll kick things off with a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist who will share the thrilling tale of the city’s origins as you trace its medieval walls and see Wawel Castle where the dragon once roamed in its dungeons. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself and perhaps you’d like to spend the afternoon wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or choose an optional experience that would see you exploring the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, often referred to as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland. This evening, why not enjoy a night out with an optional farmhouse dinner and Polka party where you’ll swing around the dance floor after a meal of Polish specialties.

Day 8: Kraków – Budapest

Head south by private car through Poland, then travel through the pastoral heart of Slovakia bound for Hungary. Your final destination is Budapest, which sits straddled on either side of the beautiful Danube – two halves shaped by a captivating mix of Magyar, German, Slav, Jewish, Roma and Turkish settlers that have made Budapest into the cultural capital it is today. Begin your exploration of this ‘Pearl of the Danube’ on the water with an optional scenic cruise on a private boat along the Danube. Against an enchanting illuminated backdrop, you’ll enjoy an optional dinner of Hungarian specialties while you sail underneath the famous Chain Bridge and past Budapest’s majestic Parliament buildings.

Picture of Budapest building near Danube river

Day 9: Budapest sightseeing and free time

Like all great capitals, Budapest’s story begins with a legend, and your Local Specialist will share all the exciting tales during your sightseeing. Then there’s time to explore the 1000-year history of Budapest on your own or perhaps join an Optional Experience, including a goulash cooking demonstration, to the medieval town of Szentendre, set on the banks of the Danube.

Day 10: Budapest – Győr – Vienna

All that glitters certainly is gold in Budapest. You’ll see this first-hand during an optional visit to the Hungarian Parliament. The highlights of Bohemia just keep on coming as we continue our trip across the hilly landscapes of Transdanubia to Győr, a charming city which sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, midway between Budapest and Vienna. Wander the historic streets then continue across the Austrian border arriving in Vienna later today, a city where music literally surrounds you.

Day 11: Vienna sightseeing and free time

Meet your Local Specialist private Guide, who will reveal the secrets and stories of this imperial city. See the Parliament, the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg and the City Hall, before heading out on your own. It’s entirely up to you how to explore this musical capital of the world. You could spend hours wandering the streets when you visit Vienna, or perhaps take a guided trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, one of the most influential royal families of Europe. You’ll need no excuse to embrace the locals’ love of the good life as you indulge in the city’s coffee house culture with a heavenly slice of Sachertorte to tame your chocoholic tendencies. This evening, the melodies of a musical Vienna are the order of the day if you join an optional dinner followed by a concert of Strauss and Mozart masterpieces.

Day 12: Vienna – Brno – Prague

Today we’ll say goodbye to Vienna’s enchanting symphony and travel north to the Czech Republic by private car. First stop is the medieval town of Brno and we’ll pass through gorgeous green and gold landscapes, before arriving in Prague later today. The City of a Hundred Spires shines even brighter at night, so it’s only fitting to join an evening introduction to this fairy-tale city. Hit the town and try a local brew to quench your thirst, discovering the dry-hopped goodness for which Prague is renowned.

Picture of Village Square, Brno, South Moravian Region, Czechia

Day 13: Prague sightseeing and free time

While the rest of Europe’s capitals smouldered, the enduring beauty of Prague saved it from a similar fate during World War II. You’ll see why when you head out on a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist in a private car , with stops to see highlights including Prague Castle, the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Old Town Square. With the rest of the afternoon free to explore Prague your way, why not see other beautiful sides of the city from the water, with an optional lunch cruise along the Vltava that will reveal the legends, myths and hidden secrets of this enchanting city.

Day 14: Prague – Rothenburg – Frankfurt

Take a step back in time during your stop in Rothenburg ob der Tauber along Bavaria’s Romantic Road this morning. Your orientation tour will reveal an exquisite medieval centre encircled by a fortified town wall that was built in the 13th century. Continue to Frankfurt, where we will enjoy a final toast and a farewell dinner to reminisce over an epic journey across the Bohemian countryside and capital cities.

Picture of Closed Gate to Medieval Crime Museum, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Deutschland

Day 15: Depart Frankfurt

Great empires created the enchanting land which you’ve explored over the past 15 days. You’ve encountered legends, tales of bravery and unforgettable masterpieces that span the centuries. All that’s left is to bid your new friends a fond farewell as you prepare to close the curtain on an exhilarating encounter with Central Europe.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

10 06 2024

Grant Charsley Europe, Travel Packages 7-day tour, europe, tour

Price on request

Region: Europe
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Taste of Europe Tour

Overview:

The 7-day Taste of Europe Private Tour, starting in London, England and on to Paris, the Swiss Alps, the Rhine Valley in Germany, Amsterdam and Bruges.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Lioness, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Safari

Day 1: London – Paris

Welcome to Taste of Europe 7 days private tour!

Leaving London behind, travel to Paris, crossing the English Channel on the way. Upon arriving in the ‘City of Lights’, enjoy a driving tour of the French capital. Get your cameras ready – you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, enjoy an optional welcome dinner at a restaurant in Paris. Afterwards, travel back to the hotel and get some rest before exploring the city further on the free day tomorrow!

Day 2: Paris: Free Day

Enjoy a free day to explore Paris however you wish! Join the Paris optional excursion to enjoy some classic Parisian experiences. On the excursion, join your tour leader and visit a famous French Perfumery, indulge in a tasting at an authentic macaron shop, enjoy a lunch cruise on the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore on your own and see Paris’ world-famous Louvre Museum, take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Champs-Élysées or grab a spot at a local cafe and watch the world go by. There are endless great things to see and do in Paris! Tonight, why not enjoy the “Evening in Montmartre” optional excursion or experience an unforgettable cabaret show?

Zebra, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tazmania, Safari

Elephant, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Safari

Day 3: Burgundy – Swiss Alps

Leave Paris behind and travel to Burgundy. Here, enjoy free time for lunch and get a taste of the French wine country! In the town of Beaune, there is time to wander around. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as the tour makes its way to Switzerland and enjoy a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps. Welcome to your home for the next two days in the Swiss Alps! The Jungfrau Region is a World Heritage Site that is home to Europe’s largest glacier. Enjoy an optional dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The splendour of the Alps is yours to explore today – don’t miss the chance to join the optional excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The trip to the top is a real highlight! Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Arrive at the top and enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops. Be sure to capture as many photos as possible before it’s time to head back down to lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight, choose to enjoy a quintessential Swiss experience with a fondue dinner optional.

Day 5: Swiss Alps – Rhine Valley

This morning, the tour travels to Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Depart Switzerland and cross the border into Germany – look forward to more scenic views along the way. Arrive and board a Rhine riverboat to travel from St Goar to Boppard. See a different side to the beautiful Rhine Valley during a cruise with views of the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe! The scenery also features vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Disembark and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting – if the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.

Day 6: Rhine Valley – Amsterdam

Wave farewell to the Rhine Valley and Germany as the tour continues to the Netherlands today. Cross the border into a brand new country and enjoy free time for a lunch stop along the way. Once in the Netherlands, look forward to a variety of classic Dutch experiences! Snap photos at the historic Riekermolen Windmill before learning about how traditional Dutch cheese and clogs are made. Next up, Amsterdam is calling!

Arrive in the Dutch capital city and enjoy free time before embarking on a cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals – be sure to have your cameras ready! Afterwards, sit down for an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the city before heading to the hotel for tonight

Day 7: Amsterdam – Bruges – London

After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and get ready to travel back to London via Belgium. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, any Belgian town is a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite! Today, the tour will make a stop in Bruges – a gorgeous Belgian city home to beautifully-preserved medieval architecture. With no shortage of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs during free time Back to London by private car.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

10 06 2024

Grant Charsley Asia, Central Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, tours, turkmenistan

Price on request

Region: Turkmenistan
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day TurkmenistanTour

Overview:

Turkmenistan is one of the most beautiful cities of the world, recently included into the Guinness Book of Records as the Most-White Marble City in the World. You will visit the capital parks and monuments, impressive mosques and other iconic buildings. Drive to the Nissa Fortress, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The State Museum of Turkmenistan stores ancient artifacts found at the excavations of the settlements Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe, a collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelry, and antique weapons. There is also a fossilized piece of wood of the Paleozoic period, dinosaurs’ footprints, an 820-kg meteorite that came down in Kunya-Urgench. A drive to Mary city will have us stop at Annau, the ruins of a 15^th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque and Abiward, an ancient Sassanid city. Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abiward have been made in the last century. Visit the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. We do a spectacular drive through the Karakum desert to Darwaza, visiting a small nomadic village. We drive to the Northern province of Turkmenistan, to the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, Capital of Khorezm in X-XII centuries. Visit the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Ashgabat – Nisa – Gypchak – Ashgabat

Your guide will pick you up at the airport and accompany you to the capital city of Turkmenistan – one of the most beautiful cities of the world which was recently included into the Book of Guinness as the Most-White Marble City in the World. Today you will visit main tourist attraction in the capital parks and monuments, impressive mosque and other iconic buildings. You will drive to Nisa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings, a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. Afterwards you will visit the biggest Mosque in Central Asia Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak), Mausoleum of the late President of Turkmenistan.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat – Mary

Today you will visit the State Museum of Turkmenistan. It stores ancient artifacts found at the excavations of the settlements Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe, collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelry and antique weapons. The 9 halls display figurines of Athens, Eros, silver gilded griffin, horn-shaped ivory vessels-rhytons of the Parthian era, gold jewelries, medallions-stamps from Margiana and Buddhist artifacts. There is also a fossilized piece of wood of the Paleozoic period, aged 270,000,000, dinosaur footprints, an 820-kg meteorite fallen in Kunya-Urgench in 1998 and a lot more. Afterwards is drive to Mary city. On the way you will stop at Annau, the ruins of 15^th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque and Abiward, an ancient Sassanid city. Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abiward have been made in the last century to about 8 km west of the Kahka station in an area of 12,000 m². The central tell is 60 feet high and 700 feet round.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 3: Mary – Merv – Ashgabat

After breakfast the tour starts with a visit to the glorious Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. The splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrate exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor. Then we take a drive to visit a Museum with an extensive ethnography section, including a large collection of Turkmen jewelry, carpets, stuffed animals, a fully decorated yurt and pottery from the time of the Mongol occupation. But best of all is the archaeological section, bringing together artifacts found at both Merv and Margush, including pottery, weapons, household implements and jewelry. The fine quality and design of household items from Margiana is striking and rivals the collection of the National Museum in Ashgabat. A skeleton of a Margiana priestess was once also on display, though a series of deaths and misfortunes among museum staff persuaded them to have the original returned to where it was found. From here we will drive to Ashgabat.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 4: Ashgabat – Darwaza

Today we will drive through the Karakum desert to Darwaza. Today you will visit a small nomadic village on the way to the main attraction and immerse into the traditional life style of Turkmen people. Then is visit of the gas deposit. Stay in a camp with tasty catering; the perfect way to enjoy this highlight. Observe the fantastic view of the crater at daylight and at night, feel the heat and listen to the wind and the sound that this giant oven creates. Overnight is in a tent under the starry sky.

Day 5: Darwaza – Kone Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat

After the breakfast is drive to North province of Turkmenistan, to the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, Capital of Khorezm in X-XII centuries. Visit the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur. Upon arrival to Dashoguz you will have a city tour. Transfer to airport for a local flight.

Hotel accommodation and overnight.

Day 6: Ashgabat

Tour starts with visiting an Eastern bazaar of Turkmenistan “Tolkuchka”. You will feel the real beauty of Turkmen carpets, national silver jewelers and souvenirs. After that you will drive to the horse farm to visit the pride of the Turkmen people – Akhal-Teke horses. In addition, you will have a traditional Tea party, see a short Akhal-Teke horse show and can see the racks of horses. Return to Ashgabat. In the evening we do a city tour to see the illuminated monuments.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 7: Ashgabat – Airport

In the morning we return to the airport for your flight out.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

23 05 2024

Grant Charsley Asia, Travel Packages 8-day tour, asia, mongolia, tour

Price on request

Region: South Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Activities: Country Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 8 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

8-day Gobi Desert Tour, Mongolia

Overview:

The thought of the Gobi Desert stirs up images of sand dunes in people’s heads, but only about 3% of the Gobi is actual sand dunes whilst most of the terrain is flat with gravel and low vegetation. Though not as populous as other parts of Mongolia, there are nomadic families who live here tending to their livestock including two-humped Bactrian camels beside their herds of sheep, goats, and horses. The Gobi region was once a flourishing ecosystem that supported many types of lifeforms including dinosaurs confirmed by the abundance of fossil discoveries. Experience highlights of the Gobi, including the Lammergeier’s valley – an oasis in the middle of the desert teeming with wildlife, Singing Sands – spectacular stretch of sand dunes, Flaming Cliffs – where an American explorer named Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first recorded fossilized dinosaur eggs in the 1920s, and other interesting sights.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the capital of Mongolia and transfer to a centrally located 4 star hotel. Afternoon guided walking city tour will introduce you to the highlights of the city: The central city square with a grand statue of Genghis Khan and Sukhbaatar statue placed at the center as well. Museum of National History is located right next to the square will introducing Mongolia’s history from early humans to modern era. Then choose to visit one or two museums from the following: 1. Choijin Lama or State Oracle Residence-museum displaying best samples of Buddhist artwork and religious masks. 2 The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum displays old arts including Buddhist arts, painting, folk arts and crafts, sculptures, carvings and embroideries.

Welcome dinner.

Day 2: Tsagaan Suvarga

Drive to Tsagaan Suvarga, translated as the White Stupa, is a vibrant clay formation slope with a brink that is about 400 meters long and 60 meters high. This naturally occurring formation once was part of a seabed aeons ago. Ores exposed to oxygen created differing purple, orange, and reddish hues that make it stand out amongst its surrounding flat expanse.

Day 3: Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs)

Drive to Bayanzag, nicknamed “Flaming Cliffs” by an American explorer named Roy Chapman Andrews who led an expedition team here in the 1920s. He was a proponent of “Out of Asia” theory of humankind’s origin. While searching for remains of earliest humans, which they did not find, the team instead discovered the first recorded fossilized nest of dinosaur eggs here at this site along with other dinosaur fossils.

Day 4: Singing Sands

Our next destination is the Khongor sand dunes overlooking the green meadow of the Khongor river. This long, narrow stretch of sand dunes continues for over 100 km with width of about few km to 12 km. From flatland to the highest ridge is around 200 meters.

In the late afternoon, you can try to climb up to one of the crests or walk the lower slopes and enjoy the surrounding view. It’s also called the “Singing Sands” due to a distant propeller hum heard when strong winds push tons of sand grains down steep slopes thus causing friction and producing small tremors.

Day 5: Hiking in Lammergeier’s Valley

Drive to Yolin Am, translated as Lammergeier’s Valley, named after a large species of bird also known as the “bearded vulture” which glide over the gorge where they live and breed on crags of its high mountains. Lammergeiers mostly feed on bones. They can swallow whole or bite through brittle bones and its powerful digestive system quickly dissolves even large pieces. If a bone is too large to swallow, they carry it up and drop it down onto rocks below to smash it into smaller pieces. Nestled within the Three Beauties Mountain range, the narrowest part of its gorge shelters ice until July despite the hot desert temperature. The stream that flows through, the lush valley and its surrounding mountains altogether is an oasis in the middle of the desert accompanying diverse wildlife.

Day 6: Baga Gazariin Chuluu

Baga Gazariin Chuluu is a 15 km long and 10 km wide granite massif encompassing an area of about 300 square kilometers. These unique rock formations create a labyrinth with its gorges, thus making it stand out from surrounding semi-desert steppe terrain. There is ruin of an old monastery center here and other interesting spots including rock paintings and a spring locals claim is good for eye health.

Day 7: Chinggis Khan Statue Complex

Stopover at the Chinggis Khan statue complex. It is a 40-meter (130 ft) tall, stainless-steel statue of mounted Chinggis Khan and the world’s largest equestrian statue. Once you go inside, there is a souvenir shop, restaurant, and small museum. A lift takes you to a flight of stairs leading up to the back of the horse’s head where you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding steppe. Afterwards, drive to Ulaanbaatar.

Check-in Hotel and in the evening, we will have a farewell dinner.

Day 8: Departure

Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

07 12 2023

Grant Charsley Asia, Central Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, Kyrgyzstan, tours

Price on request

Region: Kyrgyzstan
Activities: Tour
Dates: 10 June – 20 September. If other dates are required – we can make a program without Son Kul
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Kyrgyzstan Tour

Overview: Starting at Manas International Airport we visit Ala Archa gorge. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range, 45 km from Bishkek. Then we do a guided tour of Bishkek including Duboviy Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic. Then on to Chon Kemin gorge. On route you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and the open air museum of Balbals. The following day we drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world, finally arriving at Karakol town. We also visit the petroglyphs and Dungan mosque, followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. We also visit Jeti Oguz gorge, famous for the red rock formations called the Seven Bulls, Broken Heart Mountain, then Bokonbaeva village. Next morning we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake, the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan. Overnight we spend in nomadic collapsible dwellings called yurts. We visit Kochkor village where you will spend some time seeing how our national felt carpets are produced.

Bookings Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek

Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. In the morning we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek. The second half of the day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting \ Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. This overnight will be in a hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin

Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. On route to the gorge you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). After an interesting excursion and climbing on the top of the tower is transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. In the afternoon we will have 3 hours of horse riding. Your route will go high in the mountains and you will even ride horses through a mountain forest. On the top you will see the panorama view of the gorge. The night will be in a guesthouse.

Day 3: Chon Kemin – Issyk Kul lake northern shore – Karakol

Today you will drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above sea level). The lake is called “the pearl of Central Asia”. For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. Today you will drive along the whole northern shore and arrive to Karakol town. Also we will visit today a place with ancient stone patterns – petroglyphs. In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single nail. It will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Kochkor

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 5: Kochkor – Son Kul

In the morning we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings – yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.

Day 6: Son Kul – 33 parrots Pass – Kochkor – Bishkek

After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through 33 parrots pass (3 133 m). In Kochkor village you will spend some time with a family that will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. Also you will visit a small handicraft museum there. They have many examples of silver decorations, coats made of wolves, horse saddle decorations, carpets and more. Afterwards you will be transferred to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek – Airport

In the morning we return to the airport for your flight out.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

Image of Zebra from Grazyna Smit loading

07 12 2023

Grant Charsley Africa, Travel Packages 8-day tour, africa, serengeti, tanzania, tour, wildlife

Price on request

Region: Tanzania
Activities: Wildlife Safari
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 8 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

8-day Wildebeest Migration Wildlife Safari Serengeti

Overview:

This 8 days Wildebeest Migration Calving Season safari includes visit to Ndutu area which is a transitional border between northern Ngorongoro and southern Serengeti where you will witness the birth of up to 8000 calves a day during this magic time for the great Wildebeest Migration. Although our safari is designed for calving season when the massive herds of wildebeest arrive in Southern Serengeti during the month of December, January, February and March, but you will as well visits the famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater which offers spectacular time to witness great games roaming in the wild.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Arusha

Meet at Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha airport, after meet and greet you will be transfer to Arusha town,

Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel or similar–BB

Day 2: Arusha – Ndutu Area

Pick up from Arusha in the morning and drive to Ndutu area arriving in time for check in and lunch at your lodge. Afternoon embark on your very first Game drive in the vast plain of Ndutu coloured by unnumbered wildebeests followed by Zebras and gazelles and stalked by hungry predators

Dinner and overnight at Ndutu Safari Lodge or similar

Day 3 & 4: Ndutu Area

As the sun rises you will leave your lodge for an early morning game viewing and return in the late morning to a leisurely African breakfast. Thereafter you will proceed on with Game drive in the Ndutu plains which is the most famous ground in the world and it is here where the biggest mammals’ migration in the world drop their calves in a synchronized birthing to more than 400,000 calves with approximation of 8,000 calves born per day during the peak in the middle of February.

Add on experience at Ndutu area – If you want to experience uninterrupted views of wilderbeests migrations from the sky you may choose to book a hot air balloon ride, followed by a luxurious champagne breakfast. This activity is optional and seats need to be reserved in advance.

Meals and overnight at Ndutu Safari Lodge or similar

Day 5: Ndutu – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, collect packed lunch drive to Serengeti National Park, unquestionably the best wildlife sanctuary in the world and a World Heritage Site astounding 14,763 sq kms full of wild paradise. The park is most famous for its annual migration of wildebeests and zebras and the Big Five population. Enjoy and cherish your first afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park to view the “Big Five” and other uncountable resident wildlife

Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge or similar

Image of Giraffe from Rachel Claire loading

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, drive for full day game drives in the Serengeti National park, Tanzania’s best and most scenic game park in the world. Serengeti has a flourishing, permanent population of plains game which increases in year round by the migration of more than two million gnus and zebras which roams in the vast Serengeti plains about 10months year before cross ecological boarder to Masai Mara. The “big five,” elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard are quite common. When the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers the most brilliant game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, groups of elephant and giraffe, eland, topi, Kongoni, warthogs cheetah, impala, Grant’s gazelle and maned lion prides feast on the abundance of plenty grazers and browsers.

Meals and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge or similar

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you will collect packed lunch and drive to Ngorongoro conservation area, a UNESCO World Heritage site for crater tour. The largest inactive caldera in the world (260 square kilometres), sunken or collapsed cone of volcano nowadays hosts the most unique ecosystem on Earth with more than 20,000 large grazing mammals and the largest concentration of predators on earth playing important part in the maintenance of the nature balance. Your experience will start by descending 2000 feet (over 600 metres) to the floor of the caldera to explore the Lerai forest inhabited by monkeys and huge elephant families, the lake area, where you may see the flamingos, the open savannah to sport many predators probably hunting to make their kill.

Wildly beautiful as it is, not surprisingly that Ngorongoro Crater has been called The Real Garden of Eden located in 2018 by American Biblical Archaeologist Stan Deyo. In the evening drive to Karatu area

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House or similar

Day 8: Airport

After breakfast, you will drive to Arusha for lunch, lunch on own account

Afternoon transfer to Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport

Price: ON REQUEST

Note:

All the costs are valid at the date of publication and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking.

FLIGHTS

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. Please inquire with us supplying your dates of travel, destination(s), departure dates from Australia and return to Australia, full names as in your current passport and birthdays of all travellers. Include your email address with mobile and we will send you a quote.

PLEASE NOTE: All information is considered confidential.

07 12 2023

Grant Charsley Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, mongolia, tour

Price on request

Region: Mongolia
Activities: Country Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Mongolia Tour

Overview:

The 7-day Mongolian Tour takes us to some of the greatest places in Mongolia. A landlocked country in East Asia, Mongolia is bordered by Russia and China. Most of Mongolia is covered by grassy steppes, with mountains to the north and west. The Gobi Desert in the south and Ulaanbaatar as the capital.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

The guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. It will take an approximately 90 mins car transfer to your hotel. After short freshen up, we will do city tour starting from Gandan monastery, Sukhbaatar main square, the winter palace of Bogd Jabzan Damba Hutagt VIII, Zaisan Memorial, State department store and Museum of Dinosaurs.

The night is spent at the hotel.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Dalanzadgad

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take 1 hour flight to Dalanzadgad city. We start driving south to one of the best ger camps of Gobi Desert near Eagle valley (3 hrs approx.). The Valley is in the Zuun Saikhan Mountain, located in the center of South Gobi aimag. The narrow Valley between high rock walls has breathtaking dramatic scenery, and no doubt is one of the beautiful places in the country. In rainy summers hundreds of small waterfalls appear in the rocky walls. Trekking camel and horse-riding tours are available to the valley.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 3: Dalanzadgad – Hongoryn Els

Today is a full day driving to the west (200 km), we come out from mountain area into Gobi area with small hills. Reach Khongoryn Dunes, the biggest sand dunes in all Asia. The 350-meter-high sand dunes in Sevrei soum, South aimag, are called Khonguryn Els. These dunes are 20 km wide and 100 km long. The Khongurun River flows along the sand dunes and gives birth to oases. Then we will drive 10-15 km before the sunset to the dunes. Try two humped Bactrian camel riding, which are very comfortable.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 4: Hongoryn Els – Bayan Zag Land of Dinosaurs – Ongiin Khiid

Transfer to the Land of Dinosaurs, known to westerners as The Flaming Cliffs, Bayan Zag (Rich with Saxaul) is famed for its’ red sandstone cliffs which take on beautiful red and orange hues during sunset. Sculptural Saxaul trees grow in the arid rocky soil. The area is also recognized as one of the world’s largest dinosaur graveyards. In 1921, the American Roy Chapman Andrews discovered here some of the most important Paleontological findings of the last century. Since then, hundreds of archeological expeditions have come to this remote desert location, and even today with the assistance of local people dinosaur fossils continue to be found in the area.

We will drive for 3-4 hours (~ 150km) to Flaming Cliffs, site known for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs and unique landscape. Try your luck for dinosaur fossils here. Then we drive towards the Ongiin Monastery, formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia founded in 1660. The landscape around the monastery is a semi-desert with endless wide-open dry steppe, random plants and rocks. Gobi Desert is not here yet, but the welcome gate is right around the corner. Then visit the temple, talk to local monks, and walk around.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 5: Ongiin Khiid – Erdenezuu – Kharkhorin

Today we will drive to Khar Khorum. Mongolia’s ancient capital, Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan’s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. The symbolic ruins of Kharakhorum (Harhorin), monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas; since 1990, it has become an active monastery again. Turtles carved from the stone marked the boundaries of the complex. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. Quite a surprise for the scientists was the discovery of a burial of a Mongolian woman which dates to approximately the 14-th century where also two Egiptian masks, a wooden comb and a bronze mirror in a silk case were found.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 6: Kharkhorin – Khustai National Park – Ulaanbaatar

We will drive eastwards to Hustai National Park and see Takhi, the Asian wild horse & red deers. If you have a chance, see a wolf, argali sheep, and deer. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi’s small museum and continue drive to Ulaanbaatar.

Night is at the hotel.

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar – Airport

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

28 09 2023

Grant Charsley Asia, Central Asia, Travel Packages 8-day tour, asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, tours

Price on request

Region: Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 8 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

8-day Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Tour

Overview:

Starting at Almaty city you will visit the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Medeo Gorge, Shymbulak resort. Next is Kok-Tobe Hill, Almaty cableway. We follow this is with a trip to Charyn Canyons, Castles Valley, Saty village. Next you will visit Karakol city, Dungan mosque, an old wooden Orthodox Church, the museum of M.V. Prejvalsky and visit local bazar. The following day we visit Jeti Oguz gorge, Broken Heart Mountain, Bokonbaeva village, meet a local eagle-hunter, then transfer to Kochkor village. Visit the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake via Kalmak Ashu and Moldo Ashu Pass. Take a look at Burana Tower, then on to Bishkek city. Ala Archa gorge is the next stop, on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. In Bishkek, you will visit Pobeda Square, Duboviy Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and more. The last day you will visit our Asian Bazaar, later transferring to the border and back to Almaty.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Almaty

Your guide will meet you at the airport and accompany to Almaty city, where we do a city tour. You will visit the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping.

The tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world – Zenkov Cathedral is located. After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and Shymbulak resort.

Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty

Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Canyons, one of the natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old, with its vertical cliffs, and ancient castles. The canyon was created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon, during which you will hear a lot of interesting information about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions.

As soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about the long drive – so much so you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging around you.

In the evening is transfer to Saty village.

Night is at the homestay.

Day 3: Saty – Kazakh-Kyrgyz border – Karakol

In the morning you are transferred to the border. The guide will meet you and accompany to Karakol city, a a small town of green avenues and wooden cottages located just to the east of the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, and 10 km the west is the shoreline of Lake Issyk Kul.

Karakol was founded in 1869 as a Russian garrison, and grew rapidly as explorers passed through the town on their way deeper into the Tian Shan. The city grew as Dungans fled violence in China in the 1880s and resettled in Karakol. Then, in 1888, the Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky died in Karakol, and the town was renamed in his honor. In 1921, Karakol was given its original name back, only to have the decision reversed by Stalin in 1939. In 1991, Karakol once again became Karakol.

Day 3 sees us taking a sightseeing tour.

In the morning we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Also you will visit the museum of M.V. Prejvalsky, one of the world’s greatest explores. After this you can visit local bazar.

Night is at the hotel.

Day 4: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Bokonbaevo – Kochkor

We continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter who hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting).

Transfer to Kochkor village.

Night is at the guesthouse.

Day 5: Kochkor – Kalmak Ashu Pass – Moldo Ashu Pass – Son Kul Lake

After breakfast we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake via Kalmak Ashu and Moldo Ashu Pass. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings.

Night is at the yurts.

Day 6: Son Kul Lake – Kalmak Ashu Pass – Kochkor – Burana – Bishkek

In the morning you will be transferred to Kochkor village via Kalmak Ashu Pass. The road will go along amazing gorge and you will drive today over Kalmak Ashu pass that is 3,225 meters high. In Kochkor village you will spend some time with a family that will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. Also you will visit a small handicraft museum there. On route to the gorge, you will visit Burana Tower. It is a minaret dating from the 11th century. Afterwards you will be transferred to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city.

Night is at the hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek

In the morning we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek.

The second half of the day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest.

Night is at the hotel.

Day 8: Bishkek – Kyrgyz-Kazakh border – Almaty – Airport

In the morning we will visit our Asian Bazaar! We will show it to you today and you will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of bustling local life. This bazaar is a noisy and colorful tapestry of fabrics, produce, and people selling and buying goods.

Afterwards we transfer to the Kordai border point where you will meet your guide.

Transfer to Almaty airport to catch back flight.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.