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Note that there may be differences in number of days between summary and actual trips. Note also that in most of our trips, we do not include meals in our cost. We believe that eating is a wonderful cultural experience and our travelers are given the option of eating in various eateries from cheap street stalls to posh restaurants. The same goes for entrance fees and activities. Members are given the option of deciding what they want or do not want to see and do.
Soft Adventure Trips with Moderate to Easy Walks/Treks
China's Silk Road Urumqi to Lanzhou 18-days
China & Pakistan Silk Road & Karakoram Highway 19-days
Guilin/Yangshuo, Dong villages and Rice Terraces 9-days
Guizhou Back Country 14-days
South Thailand Khao Sok National Park & Others 8-days
Yunnan's Zhongdian & Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek 15-days
Zhangjiajie to Guilin/Yangshuo Backroads of China 14-daysHard Trips with Difficult Treks
Indian Himalayas Spiti Valley & Bhapa Pass Trekking 18-days
Kinabalu Climb & Sipadan Islands 9-days
Maliau Basin & Sipadan Islands 9-days
New Zealand South Island & Milford Track 18-days
South Korea & National Parks Treks 17-daysRegular Touring Trips
Crossing Cambodia & River Kwai 10-days
Cambodian Express 6-days
Charms of Cape Town, Garden Route & Beyond 14-days
Pakistan's Hunza Valley & top of Karakoram Higway 12-days
New Zealand North & South Islands 18-days
Sipadan Mabul Kapalai Islands Snorkeling 4-days
Angkor Wat Kanchanaburi 10-days:Crossing Cambodia and the River Kwai 10-days: Ever wondered what happened to the “pensioned-off” bullet riverboats that used to ply the Rejang in Sarawak ? Well, we will find out as we cruise the Tonle Sap , SE Asia 's largest lake, from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap! Yes, our overland crossing takes us from poignant reminders of man at his worst in the “killing fields”, to man at his best in the monumental archaeological site that is Angkor Wat, and then on a bumpy but interesting pick-up ride to the frontier “cowboy” town of Poipet on the Cambodia-Thai border. Last but not least, it is “sanuk” with the laid-back attractions of Thailand's River Kwai in Kanchanaburi; of petting tigers, elephant rides, slow rafting, hot springs, and of course the “Death Railway”—all very touristic but good fun nonetheless!
Cambodian Express 6-days: Its an express excursion of sorts, but enough for one to get a feel of Cambodia . Phnom Penh ; with its poignant reminders of man's inhumanity to man in the Khmer Rouge sites. The Tonle Sap , South East Asia 's largest lake; with quaint water villages fringing the rustic waterway. And Angkor Wat is a whole archaeological complex which the ancient artefact aficionado would surely need months to wander and wonder, but we will have a full day to absorb some of the more prominent sights—extension or return visit can be arranged!
Charms of Cape Town, the Garden Route and Beyond 14-days: Cape Town has been rated one of the most beautiful cities by Lonely Planet, and justifiably so. However, to truly appreciate and do justice to this wondrous slice of southern South Africa , nothing beats self-driving on the open road, past quaint towns, endless grape vines, the rugged Karoo hinterland, and a truly charming coastline dotted with secluded beaches, and decorated with colourful fynbos flowers. But beyond driving, we will also hike, spelunk, cruise, swim, train, and if anyone wishes, even jump off a high bridge tied with only a rubberband! Lastly, be enthralled by the southern right whales that can be viewed at numerous spots along the coast. We hire vehicles and self-drive. We stay in motels with kitchen facilities. To economise, we self-cater and group members are expected to cooperate with the meals preparation, cleaning up, driving and the luggage.
Splendours of the China's Silk Road 18-days: Uighur Xinjiang is quite likely the least “Chinese” part of China , and this is where we begin to run through the gamut of sites and landscapes that has seen likes of Marco Polo and others of his ilk! We traverse on horsebacks the snow-capped pine-clad mountains of Lake Tianchi, and the next will be in the giant sand dunes of Dunhuang, past the miraculous grape oasis of Turpan in the middle of dry and hot nowhere! Han China looms with the so-called end of the Great Wall at Jiayuguan before ending our silk road sojourn in Lanzhou , visiting the Tibetan towns of Xining & Xiahe. All in all, a fine adventure, but certainly the journey will not be smooth as silk! We hire buses most of the way and have two overnight trains that will save us traveling time. We stay mostly budget hotels except for 2 nights in Tianchi Lake. Here accomodation is very basic and we sleep in Yurts or Mongolian Tents near the water's edge
China Pakistan Silk Road 19 days: At 4730m above sea level, the Karakoram Highway is rated the highest motorable road in the world, and is literally the high point of our Sino Pak Silk Road Traverse. Beginning our trip in Pakistan, experience the rich Moghul cultures with magnificent scenes of Pakistan high mountain region, passing through pretty villages and hard-to-believe ancient Buddhist centers. Once over the pass, we experience the sights and sounds of Xinjiang, quite likely the least “Chinese” part of China, passing through the surreal Pamir Plateau to Kashgar of the famed Sunday Market --a colourful riot of Uighur wheeling and dealing, We proceed on accross the formidable Taklamakan Desert and on to Turpan, Urumqi and traverse on horsebacks the snow-capped pine-clad mountains of Lake Tianchi. A tough traverse this is, but one that weeds out the traveller, from the tourist indeed!
Spiti Valley and Bhaba Pass; Old Culture and High Adventure 17-days: Annually, travellers visiting this far-flung corner of the Indo-Tibetan frontier region of India, barely hits five figures, a major reason being access to Spiti is only for 6 months in a a year! Discover a face of India seldom seen; in age-old Gompas devoid of mass tourism a la Potala(!), ancient mountain hugging villages, and a ruggedly beautiful Himalayan landscape. Then after all that culture, its time to get high on mother nature on a tough but rewarding 5 day trek across the 4900m Bhaba Pass—a true voyage of self-discovery we assure you! This is trekker trip and requires a higher standard of fitness. During trek days, luggages & equipment will be portage on pack-horses. Group members carry a day back. A camping crew comprising of guides, horsemen and a cooking crew will accompany and assist the group. This should make the trek more enjoyable and easier to cope.
Backroads of China; Going beyond Guilin 8-days: Visions of Guilin for many, are pretty limestone massifs in a rural setting. We will have the obligatory cruise to see those lovely looming landscapes, but will spend most of our days in real rural China , experiencing a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries in the ancient Dong minority people village of Chengyang , and enjoy refreshing walks amid the wondrous age-old dragonback rice terraces of the Yao and Zhuang. At the tail-end, the favourite traveller & backpacker haven known as Yangshuo beckons with all the modern comforts of modern tourism, in a truly stunning setting!
Backroads of China ; Guizhou “ Precious Land ”: Guizhou ? Literally translated as “the precious land”, its very name is a misnomer of sorts as it is actually one of the most poorest province of China . Located south of Sichuan , and east of Yunnan , Guizhou receives few visitors, especially in the more remote backwaters. But measured in the rich minority culture still in abundance, overflowing in dramatic landscapes unspoilt by mass tourism, and topped by the majestic Huangguoshu waterfall, Asia's largest with a drop of …….m, Guizhou is a “precious land” indeed! We use local bus for the duration of the trip. We stay in a mix of budget hotels and local guesthouses. As far as possible, it will be rooms with private bath but expect a few places without this, especially in the villages. The highlights would not be Asia's biggest waterfalls at Huangguoshu, but the many quaint villages and countryside sceneries as we move from place to place.
Sabah - Highlands & Islands 9-days: The hot springs of Poring in Kinabalu National Park are a most relaxing experience, and we make the best of it as we prepare for the next few days of challenging treks up and down Mt.Kinabalu's 4101m! Most would scramble and finish the trek in 36 hours. We will have the luxury of enjoying a full day at between the peak and Laban Rata's 3273m, an area of mossy beauty. Most climbers overlook this, in their ungodly 3am ascend to the peak, and the mad dash down thereafter! Then after the exertions of this paradise way above sea, what better way to rest and recuperate than undersea, amid the crystal clear waters of Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai!
Maliau "Lost World" Basin & Sipadan Islands 9-days: No dinosaurs in this “Lost World” tucked in a remote corner of Sabah, the Maliau Basin is a land of pristine jungle teeming with untouched natural beauty and majestic waterfalls, including the awe inspiring 7-tiered Maliau Falls—be humbled!! This area is reputed to have the highest concentration of waterfalls in Malaysia. Fortunately after 4 days of tough treks, it is sun, sand, sea, and seafood, amid the crystal clear waters of Sipadan, Mabul, and Kapalai.
New Zealand Scenic South & Milford Track 18-days: Rated as one of the most beautiful walks in the world, the world renowned Milford Track is high on the “need-to-do” list of most trekking buffs! The best thing is it is not too tough really, and thus any of average fitness can see for themselves if the superlatives are justified! In fact, due to its huge popularity, it is harder to organise the trek than to trek itself! After 4-days in the bush, we splurge on the splendours of the south in the Catlins, Queenstown, and the Mt Cook National Park—a nice finish to a wonderful walk in the wilds! We hire vehicles and self-drive. We stay in motels with kitchen facilities. To economise, we self-cater and group members are expected to cooperate with the meals preparation, cleaning up, driving and the luggage.
Kiwi-land "Overland" 18-days": North or South? Lets do it all! Our traverse begins in Auckland , covering the enchanting Bay if Islands and touristy but fun Rotorua. Then for expediency, we fly to the South, and do a loop from whale-town Kaikoura, across the NZ Alps to Greymouth, stop for a bit of icy fun in the glacierland of Fox, and then take in the charms of NZ's premier tourist town of Queenstown . Venturing further, its fiordland Te Anau and magnificent Milford Sound, Scottish Invercargill and Dunedin , and majestic Mt Cook . Whether one has the drive to raft, walk, luge, bungee etc, or not, it's a great place to drive! We hire vehicles and self-drive. We stay in motels with kitchen facilities. To economise, we self-cater and group members are expected to cooperate with the meals preparation, cleaning up, driving and the luggage.
Pakistan Hunza Valley & the top of Karakoram Highway 12-days
Pakistan has much to offer to the intrepid traveler as evidenced by the comments and observations by my past travelers. The Hunza Valley lays claim to the famed "Shangri-La" with its lofty white peaks and beautiful green valleys. Besides the many wonderful villages visited, we also go up to the Pakistan Chinese border at the top of the famous Karakoram Highway, the highest navigable road in the world. After experience nature at its best, we move back to Lahore, once the capital of the Mogul empire before it was moved to Delhi India. It is still the cultural centre of Pakistan with the Lahore Fort and an adjoining old market area.South Korea Soft Adventure 17-days: A plethora of UNESCO heritage sites dot the South Korean landscape—Gyongju Historic City, Bulguksa Temple, Sokuram Grotto, Suwon Castle, CheongDukgung Palace…we do it all, even side trips to re-live our childhood in fun Everland and LotteWorld…all work and no play makes Lee, Kim, and Park all dull boys! Beyond all this, we also bus, train, and of course wander, amid the wonders of Soreaksan and Jirisan National Parks , on 2 to 3 days-walks that meander through the splendours of the South Korean forestland. And don't forget the many hot-water natural onsens that await tired bodies! Travel on this trip will be by the excellent public buses, trains and subways, a true backpackers trip.
South Thailand Khao Sok National Park & others 8-days: South Thailand is more than just Phuket and Hatyai. Explore with us down less trodden paths where birds converge by the thousands escaping the cold winters of the northern hemisphere, to Thale Noi in Phattalung. Thereafter, Khao sok National Park beckons with its limestone dotted reservoir dam, scenic forest-clad rivers, caves, and waterfalls; and when in season, cool bracing weather and good rafflesia watching potential. Warm up too, in wonderful Khlong Thom, where hot river meets cold in a luxuriant forest setting. What about the Island bit? Trang delivers with hidden beaches where one has to swim under a cave to access, splendid snorkelling in emerald-clear waters, and to top it all, a canoeing adventure through mangrove, and under the "dragon's belly" to Chao Mai Cave. We hire vans with drivers for the duration of this trip, staying in proper hotels in major towns and in guesthouses and floating raft-houses in Khao Sok NP.
Yunnan Explorer & Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek 15-days: This is frontierland, China ! Yunnan is like the last bastion of Han China, before merging into Tibetan China on its west, and Indo-China on its south and east. The result is a land where myriad cultures thrive; from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lijiang, to Tibetan Zhongdian and Deqin, the latter marking the route proper into Tibet . But culture aside, Yunnan also abounds in adventure, with the Mingyong Glaciers outside Deqin, horsing around in the pastures of Yak Meadow and surely the highlight, a 4 days trek onto the Tiger Leaping Gorge—a walk of wondrous sights, scents, and senses!
Zhangjiajie to Guilin/Yangshuo Back Roads of China 13-days: A mix of soft and not-so-soft adventures, await the intrepid traveller on this rustic retreat in rural China ! The going gets rough at times, but worthy compensation is in store as the classic Chinese water-painting fairy-land of UNESCO listed Zhangjiajie National Park unfolds and awe. Longsheng dragon-back rice terraces equally work their magic. We will walk, and walk, but through generally easy terrains of striking temperate forests, age-old rice terraces carved into the hill-slopes, and even clamber in a wet and cold, but invigorating, river gorge traverse. After all that, its relaxing Yangshuo with its laid-back atmosphere surrounded by charming karst scenery—on boats, and bicycles!
Email: yongo@streamyx.com or yongleekeng@yahoo.com
Phone Lee Min: 016-220 9033 or 603-4023 8210
Phone Lee Keng: 012-315 8353 or 603-6137 9937
Mail: 2 Lorong Air Bersih Satu, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur