Native Eye

Ghana, Togo and Benin are home to an amazing diversity of traditional cultures, from the once mighty kingdom of the Ashanti to smaller groups living in isolation in the bush. This tour combines all three, starting in Lome, one of West Africa’s liveliest cities. Explore its markets and witness a traditional voodoo ceremony deep within the swamps. We visit stilt villages and ancient kingdoms, as well as the Tamberma people, with extraordinary fortress style houses designed to protect them from invaders. In Ghana we look for sacred monkeys in the forest and visit the fishing village of Elmina, learning about the history of an imposing slave castle dating back more than five hundred years. ...Read more >

If you’re from outside the Arab world, you might have an ill-informed impression of Saudi Arabia. The country has only very recently started opening up to tourism. You’ll come away from this small group Saudi Arabia holiday with a rare and comprehensive overview of the country, one that reaches back into its history, and spans from its cities all the way to the forested mountains of the south. This tour starts in the capital, Riyadh, before heading across the desert, via the dramatic ‘Edge of the World’ escarpment. It continues to the settlements of Ushaiqer, Buraydah and AlUla, before heading south to the mountains, and finishing at the beautiful Red Sea coast at Jeddah. Fans of ...Read more >

This Bulgaria mountains holiday, a small group tour of ten days, focuses not only on the country’s stunning natural heritage but also on its cultural highlights and, in particular, its monasteries. A most underrated destination, Bulgaria has a fascinating history thanks to its geography which has seen influences from both Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire from the south. Starting and ending in Sofia, we head immediately into the Rila Mountains to visit one of the country’s most famous ancient sites: Rila Monastery. The centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, it is a fortified complex packed with magnificent frescoes and carvings. Other great monasteries on this trip include ...Read more >

Situated where Europe meets Asia, Azerbaijan presides over an extremely unique vantage point with Russian, Persian and Ottoman influences conjuring the country that you’ll find today. This week-long Azerbaijan small group holiday takes you into the heart of a land that has long remained cloaked in mystery to provide cultural travellers with a legendary experience that they’ll never forget. Starting in the capital, Baku, allows a glimpse at the wealth that oil can bring alongside ancient architecture that’s more representative of the country’s much more traditional cultural heritage. Continuing this Azerbaijan small group holiday takes you out of Baku and into the Absheron Peninsula, a ...Read more >

Ethiopia is an African land unlike anywhere else on the continent. With a wealth of unique cultures, incredible ethnic and natural diversity, and some of Africa’s finest historic monuments, the country offers a unique kaleidoscope of experiences – unforgettably revealed here with a trip encompassing the highlights of both the north and the south of the country. From the colourful buzz of the capital Addis Ababa, we head south to the tribal lands of the Omo Valley to mingle with a dazzling array of traditional tribal groups – each with distinctive traits – as they come together at fabulous weekly village markets. But you will also get a chance to get close to some incredible wildlife too, ...Read more >

Colombia combines vibrant cities, ancient ruins and superlative landscapes with African rhythms and exquisite colonial architecture. We start this trip in the capital Bogota, exploring its charming historic quarter of La Candelaria as well as the nearby Nemocon Salt Mine, where we descend eighty metres below the surface to discover a series of intriguing underground tunnels. We then head to Colombia’s famed ‘coffee region’, a land of picturesque farms steeped in tradition, and valleys dotted with the iconic wax palm trees, stretching several storeys into the sky. We learn about the heritage and customs of the region, as well as travelling through some of Colombia’s most scenic ...Read more >

From relaxed bohemian towns and archaeological marvels in El Salvador, to Nicaragua’s charming colonial beauty and pristine jungles, our small group tour to Central America’s biggest and smallest countries shows a different side to this enchanting region. We start our journey in El Salvador with a visit to Cerro Verde National Park, known for its three volcanoes and dramatic scenery. We then drive along the flower route to the traditional town of Nahuizalco and the colourful village of Ataco, before arriving at Joya de Ceren, a miraculously well- preserved archaeological site. We move on to the town of Suchitoto, with its picturesque cobblestone streets and candy-coloured houses, before ...Read more >

This two week Romania holiday features an excellent variety of iconic landmarks, religious iconography and peaceful countryside settings leading all the way from the historic region of Transylvania to the beautiful bird-watching backwaters of the Danube Delta. Romania is without doubt one of the most enchanting countries in Europe with an incredible collection of historic towns and cities. This tour takes you beyond the tourist points and into the culture of the country where Saxon heritage and well-preserved churches and former merchants’ properties have withstood the test of time to offer insight into the past, and the present. As with all good Romania holidays, we begin in Bucharest ...Read more >

Kazakhstan might be enormous, but it’s not very commonly visited – strange, because there’s a lot here. This Kazakhstan small group holiday takes you to some of its most interesting sights – expect natural beauty, strange and striking landscapes and Silk Road architectural gems that are far from the busier and more famous Silk Road sights of Uzbekistan. Your trip starts in Almaty, the capital, before heading from here into the countryside to Altyn-Emel National Park, and on to Charyn Canyon National Park – and then Tamgaly, known for its petroglyphs. From here you’ll travel by overnight train to the reserve of Aksu Zhabagly and the town of Turkestan – following the Silk Road, into the ...Read more >

Be among the first travellers to return to Syria. We start this tour in neighbouring Lebanon, for ease of access, and from its vibrant capital Beirut head to the Syrian border, visiting the spectacular temple at Baalbek on the way. From here, we continue to the ancient city of Damascus, one of the most important centres of the Arab world throughout history. After exploring its atmospheric souqs, mosques and palaces, we head to Palmyra, still one of the Middle East’s most impressive archaeological sites despite the traumas of recent years. In Aleppo we visit the old citadel and the bazaar, meeting local people who are starting to rebuild their lives following the recent conflict – Aleppo ...Read more >

This small group Georgia tour takes you to the jewel of the Caucasus, and one of Europe most fascinating and undiscovered places. You’ll not only see the main highlights, but also get the chance to delve a little deeper, getting to know its proud and cultured people and to understand its complicated history and heritage. The tour kicks off in colourful Tbilisi, full of galleries, parks, and beautiful architecture, from where you’ll head to one of the oldest cities in Georgia and the country’s spiritual heart, photogenic Mtskhehta, which is home to a fine collection of UNESCO listed monuments. A drive into the High Caucasus Mountains comes next, where you’ll visit Mount Kazbek, a place ...Read more >

A one week tour through the highlights of western Libya, from the Mediterranean to the Sahara. While much of the country still remains difficult to visit, the west is now starting to open up to intrepid visitors, and you can be among the first to return after the troubles of recent years. We start in the capital Tripoli, and spend a morning at Sabratha. Sabratha dates back to ancient Carthage, and was also ruled by Rome. We spend the afternoon in Tripoli itself, exploring the winding streets of the medina, with its bazaars, mosques and palaces. We then drive south, towards the desert. At Qasr el Haj we discover one of North Africa’s most striking monuments – the vast fortified granary, ...Read more >

Explore the wonders of Myanmar, as we discover a land of gilded pagodas and authentic Asian traditions. Whilst the country has inarguably experienced a complex recent past, there is a real sense of renewed hope as the it starts to open up to intrepid travellers once again. Starting in the lively city of Yangon – effectively Myanmar’s capital - located in the southern part of we explore the bustling downtown area. Here we find fading colonial grandeur, exotic markets and religious sites, including the gaudy Sule Pagoda, immensely important in the spiritual life of the city. From here we fly to Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar before the arrival of the British. We follow in the ...Read more >

An in-depth journey to the ‘Roof of the World’, offering a comprehensive insight into this fascinating region and venturing to little visited areas in search of authentic traditions and landscapes that will take your breath away. We start first in Chengdu, and from here travel through the region of Kham – once part of the greater Tibetan lands but now subsumed into China. This is an area of traditional towns and settlements, dotted with watchtowers and old monasteries, and we spend our time here staying with local families and exploring their customs and history. Outside of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, local traditions thrive here, perhaps even more so than in Tibet proper, and it gives ...Read more >

This 26 day journey follows the ancient Silk Road through Central Asia where the ‘Stans’: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, provide a fascinating cultural backdrop to what is essentially an adventure through the ages. Starting in Uzbekistan allows this overland tour to hit the ground running with ancient cultural traditions still alive and well and abounding within the walls and amongst the minarets and mausoleums of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. The next ‘Stan’ to discover is Turkmenistan where an exciting and varied itinerary takes travellers to the edge of reason as they experience a night next to the fiery flames of Darwaza, expand reality in the ...Read more >

A short trip to one of Africa’s more unusual corners. Equatorial Guinea has had a reputation for being largely inaccessible, but in recent years has become much easier to visit. We concentrate on its most interesting part, the island of Bioko, a tropical jewel sitting off the Cameroonian coast in the Gulf of Guinea. Starting in the capital Malabo, we explore its Latin colonial heritage – Equatorial Guinea was one of just two Spanish colonies in Africa – and then from here drive past small picturesque villages and coastlines to the town of Moka. Here we hike through forest to waterfalls, and learn about the wildlife of the island, much of which is found in few other places. Moving on we ...Read more >

This small group tour is created by experts with superb on-the-ground connections. Accompanied by guides with in-depth knowledge of their subjects, you’ll explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Mughal-era Shalimar Gardens in Lahore and the salt mines of Khewra, which date back to the time of Alexander the Great. You will tour Mohenjo-daro, one of the greatest archaeological treasures in Pakistan, hear stories of mystics and holy men as you wander Multan, take a boat trip to islands where Indus river dolphins swim, and visit the vast Sukkur Barrage, built during the British colonial era. There’s more: immense necropolises, early Islamic cemeteries where countless thousands were ...Read more >

This epic 56-day tour travels through 12 countries – plus the disputed Western Sahara –in a crescent-shaped route that follows the coast of West Africa all the way from Marrakech, Morocco, to Cotonou, Benin. You’ll cross into the Western Sahara from Marrakech, then head into Mauritania. Next it’s on down to Senegal, crossing briefly into Gambia, before exploring Senegal’s Casamance region. From here you visit Guinea-Bissau – including the Bijagos Islands – before moving into Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Day 43 brings you to the Ivory Coast, and from here you hop to Ghana, then on to learn about voodoo in Togo and Benin – your final destination. Highlights include incredible drives ...Read more >

Uzbekistan is perhaps the most evocative country in Central Asia, with its splendid old Silk Road cities that conjure up images of its glorious past. This short trip is designed to show the very best that the country has to offer in just over a week. We start in the capital Tashkent, seeing its historic quarter and bustling bazaar before driving to fabled Samarkand where we explore its magnificent Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the observatory of Ulug Beg among other spectacular sights. From here we continue to Bukhara, once a powerful khanate and with monuments dating back a thousand years, including the impressive Chor Minor mosque, the Ark, and the Lyabi Hauz. Our journey ...Read more >

Bhutan is known as The Land of the Thunder Dragon, owing to its intense lightning storms that bear down on the valleys from above the mighty Himalayas, and also as the happiest country on earth, due to its commitment to cultural preservation, environmental conservation and spiritual well-being. After some sightseeing in Kathmandu, Nepal, we take a flight to the fertile Paro Valley, gateway to Bhutan’s capital, Thimpu, which is also the country’s only city. We visit the magnificent Tashichhoe Dzong, a Buddhist fortress and monastery, home to the head of the civil government and the country’s official summer capital. Just outside of the city we take a hike to Tango Goemba, situated near the ...Read more >