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Everyone can embrace the essence of travel with special interest holidays

The Imaginative Traveller

When we embarked upon our first adventures in 1991 our goal was to give all our travellers exceptional holiday experiences. We're travellers ourselves, and it shows in our trips - we are just as passionate about travel today as we always have been.

Our experience, your value for money

We have extensive experience of operating small group tours in numerous countries around the world. Our tour leaders and local staff have firsthand knowledge of the destinations, and will share that knowledge to ensure you don't miss a thing, getting value for your money. Our local payment on each trip ensures that funds remain in the destination and reduce administrative overheads, keeping the overall cost of the trip down.

Authentic travel experiences

For us travel means getting to the heart of a country, finding out what makes it tick. This means that as a rule, if the locals are doing it, we will be doing it too. Stay with people you never thought you’d meet, see sights you’ve only dreamed of and experience all the adventurous activities you could want.

Make the most of your time

By making all the time-consuming arrangements, we make sure that you get the most out of your time in a destination. The knowledge of our staff on the ground means that you will see places that aren't in the guidebook, and be introduced to locals as a guest, not a stranger.

Your small group

Your group will usually have an international flavour as our tours are sold across the world, so your fellow travellers could be from almost anywhere. Many people are travelling alone, so if you are, you won't feel the odd one out, and the group will cover a broad range of ages. You'll make new friends and have some unforgettable experiences.

More than just a place to stay

When it comes to accommodation the aim is to offer you an experience that is unique. You might be staying in a Maharaja's palace in India, a Bedouin tent in the desert or a tree-house in the jungles of Thailand. The level of comfort may vary, but you'll get a genuine insight into a place.

More than just a way to get there

How you get about depends on the destination. Sometimes public transport is the best option, which is always a good way of getting to know the locals. In some places the terrain means the best way to get around is by dugout canoe. In others you could be in an air-conditioned coach or on a bamboo raft, in a tuk tuk or on a camel. Whatever the form of transport, it inevitably adds to the whole experience.

Our price promise

We strive to offer exceptionally good value without cutting corners or sacrificing quality to be the cheapest around. Spending your money with us means that you benefit from the experience of our staff, you can be safe in the knowledge that we have a strong commitment to responsible travel, and your time with us will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!

Adventurer - Grass Roots

To the heart of a country

You get a real buzz out of travelling. For you, getting there should be as much fun as being there. You’d rather pay less up front and make your mind up about sightseeing and excursions later, but you still want some amazing experiences. With plenty of free time to explore, an Adventurer trip allows you to get under the skin of some of the world’s most exciting destinations while offering great value for money. Included: Transportation and all accommodation (ranging from jungle treehouses to basic but comfortable hotels). Some meals and entrance fees are not included. Single supplement: Now available.

Traveller - More Inclusions

A higher level of comfort

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance, allowing you to relax and enjoy the country. You enjoy the freedom of using privately chartered vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. A Traveller trip gives you authentic travel experiences without roughing it. Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist-class hotels on a twin share basis). Transportation, many meals, entrance fees for all sites included in itinerary, guides at main sites. Single supplement: Usually available.

Pioneer - Ground Breaking

Challenging trips

You are driven by adventure, always seeking to go a little further. If you are after a challenge, enjoy exploring some of the world’s more rugged places and don’t mind the occasional lack of facilities, these trips take you right off the beaten track. With dynamic itineraries offering extraordinary and unforgettable experiences, this is truly ground-breaking travel. Included: All accommodation, transportation, meals in remote locations, applicable entrance fees. Meals in larger towns and cities are not included. Single supplement: Not available

Connoisseur - The Next Level

Exotic places in style

You are drawn to exotic destinations and want to appreciate them in style. These trips offer an especially high level of comfort, staying in the finest accommodation. If you appreciate quality and are looking for rewarding experiences, whether you are returning to a place or visiting for the first time, a Connoisseur trip takes you to the next level in style. Included: Accommodation in unique and evocative places, transportation, many meals, entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary. Single supplement: Compulsory for all single travellers.

Volunteers - A Helping Hand

A helping hand

You want to totally immerse yourself in a culture, living as the locals do and seeing the country as it really is. As a Volunteer you live and work within a community, becoming part of it, and you develop a unique insight into another society as a result. By combining volunteer work with an exciting Adventure holiday you get incredible travel experiences together with the knowledge that you are helping to make a difference. Included: Accommodation as per Adventurer tours for the holiday section; in local homes or shared rooms on Volunteer section, transportation and some meals Single supplement: Not available.

Independent tours & extensions

Independent active breaks from 3-7 nights

Adventure, city, beach and wildlife safari breaks Whether you are travelling on your own, as a couple, or maybe with friends, Imaginative Escapes are specifically designed to give you short breaks in some of the world’s most magical places. Our independent (non group travel) short breaks have the ideal blend of activity and relaxation, and with all the time-consuming arrangements made for you, give you more time to enjoy the experience

Imaginative - Family

Family

adventures

Egypt, Turkey, China, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Latin America The Imaginative Family will appeal to parents with their children (minimum age 6) who have a positive outlook on life and are seeking an alternative to the more conventional family holiday.

Photographic

- special interest tours

Choose from four exciting destinations; India,Vietnam, Tibet or China! These destinations offer hundreds of attractions just waiting to be discovered by the keen photographer, from stunning scenery to beautiful architecture to wildlife and the incredible array of characters you’ll meet while travelling through these ancient and spectacular lands. These tours are designed with the photo enthusiast in mind and will use the services of a professional photographer, who will be on hand to offer advice and tuition in perfecting your photographic techniques.

Cuisine - special interest tours

Our cuisine tours will tantalise the tastebuds by combining cooking+classes with visits to local markets and trips to local eateries to sample regional delicacies and gain an in-depth appreciation of the local cuisine. All of these elements make a fantastic, creatively stimulating holiday that will leave you with new skills and memories to last a lifetime.

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Responsible travel

Responsible Travel has always been of huge importance to us, and all of our policies, guidelines and projects have been put in place with the intention of improving both the environment and the lives of people in the countries we visit. With the support of our travellers we have been able to make a huge difference to many great causes and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has donated to our Responsible Travel fund over the years. Some projects we have previously supported have now become self-sustaining, which is great news as it enables us to introduce a few more causes to our ongoing Responsible Travel fund. Maxine Wheller - Responsible Travel Officer, UK

Our Aims

INVOLVING LOCAL PEOPLE
• It is our aim to provide journeys that have minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the places we visit.
• We do not believe that, as visitors, we should impose our own cultures on others; rather that we should experience foreign cultures and appreciate them for what they are.
• Whilst it is our aim to show destinations and cultures in a positive light, we do not believe in papering over the cracks or shielding visitors from the realities of life.

Our Objectives

INVOLVING LOCAL PEOPLE
• We believe that we will achieve our aims far more effectively if we involve local people and organisations wherever possible.
• We strive to recruit local people in both office and field positions wherever possible. These members of staff are trained by us and receive the same remuneration as foreigners doing the same job.
• Wherever possible supplies and equipment are purchased locally.
• Wherever possible we avoid working with large organisations preferring to work directly with local companies and individuals.
• Small, family run establishments make up a high percentage of the accommodation we use and where it is practical but not intrusive we also stay as guests of local families. Although generally more basic, home stays provide an invaluable insight into the local lifestyle.

OVERSEAS PARTNERS
• We endeavour to work with enterprises that treat both the traveller and the local community in a fair and just manner.
• We have set up, and continually look to further, our own environmental initiatives, involving local people where possible.
• We endeavour to work with companies that share our commitment to environmental responsibility with many partners operating their own local initiatives.

GUIDELINES WE OFFER OUR TRAVELLERS
• Our tour leaders provide constant direct contact with our travellers and as such their training includes awareness of the company environmental policy. Tour leaders are then responsible for advising our travellers about company policy and encouraging them to support our efforts.
• The company actively encourages travellers to act in a responsible manner by including environmental guidelines in pre-departure information. These guidelines aim to help minimise the impact on a destination and provide simple tips on behaviour, dress and conduct. In each of our main destinations a Responsible Travel Officer is on hand locally to support our Responsible Travel projects, providing firsthand knowledge of the programmes and supplying advice on policies and guidelines.

Our projects

Egypt - Luxor Sunshine Project
Providing a home for abandoned children in Luxor.

Egypt - Qurna Discovery
-An exhibition displaying the richness of the Qurnawi community, preserving indigenous knowledge.

Turkey - Bolu and Barhal Valley Schools
Sponsoring and providing equipment for local children's educational needs.

India - Chandelao Village
Upgrading the lives of local villagers and improving school facilities.

Thailand - P.I.G. Positive Indigenous Growth
Our own project donating pigs to hilltribe communities, providing the opportunity to develop self-sustaining breeding programmes.

Thailand - Chiang Mai Orphanage
Provides a home for orphaned hilltribe children as well as supplying their educational and clothing needs. Also assisting them to be self-sufficient and even earning money by breeding pigs for our P.I.G. project!

Cambodia - Landmine Museum & School
Helping to provide an education for children, supplying them with everyday needs and raising awareness about the danger of landmines.

Bolivia - Fundacion Cerro Rico Mines Programme
Supporting a school building project and helping children find alternatives to working in the mines.

Guatemala - Peten Volunteers Project
Supporting a variety of community and conservation projects, including the building of the Community Library in San Andres.

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