YellowWood Adventures

This adventure takes in our favourite places in Ethiopia but without an emphasis on hiking each day: We will explore the stunning 13th Century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela; marvel at the 4th Century 24-metre-tall granite stele in the ancient capital of Axum where the Queen of Sheba reigned; experience the churches carved into the very mountainsides of the Gheralta Mountains; whilst visiting the local villages and people, learning about their culture, music and delicious cuisine. Highlights include Explore 13th Century rock-hewn churches Walk through villages and meet local people Dine beneath the stars at our beautiful sycamore camp Experience traditional food, music & dancing Read more >

‘Naadam’ in Mongolian means “the three games of men”; consisting of Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery – incorporating lavish costumes, celebrations, dancing and partying! We will join this incredible spectacle both in the capital Ulaanbaatar and also in the countryside staying with local families in their warm gers (large felt tents or ‘yurts’) to learn about their ancient nomadic way of life. We will also hike or ride horses up to a mountain monastery and ride Bactrian camels across the windswept sands of the Gobi Desert. Highlights include: View wrestling, horse racing & archery Experience Naadam both in the city & countryside Ride a Bactrian Camel across the Gobi ... Read more >

Ethiopian Christmas ‘Genna’ (7th January 2020) is the most important religious festival in the second country in the world to become Christian. This adventure provides the unique opportunity to experience the elaborate and highly stylised rituals and parades alongside the thousands of Ethiopian pilgrims who flock to the 13th Century rock-hewn churches in Lalibela. After this amazing celebration we will travel up to the Gheralta mountains for hiking in stunning rural surroundings. Highlights include Explore 13th Century rock-hewn churches Join Christmas parades & celebrations Hike in the awe-inspiring Gheralta Mountains Visit villages and spend time with local people Read more >

The Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains is the Rooftop of Africa; averaging 4000m in altitude, it is the highest plateau on the continent. On this incredible adventure we will walk across it, viewing its beautiful and exotic wildlife including Mountain Nyala, Ethiopian Red Wolf, impala, warthogs and Colobus Monkeys; meeting the nomadic herders grazing their flocks on the plateau and learning about their culture. We end with drive down into an ancient forest filled with waterfalls in this part of Ethiopia so little explored by the outside world. Highlights include: View the rare Ethiopian Wolf Cross the highest plateau in Africa Hike through an ancient cloud forest Explore the incredible ... Read more >

This cultural adventure takes us on a journey through the very best that Iran has to offer; incorporating its exquisite architectural achievements, peaceful mosques, glistening mosaics, blooming gardens, lavish palaces, Zoroastrian fire temples, the ancient ruins of the greatest empire the world has ever seen, fresh yoghurts with sizzling meats, glorious tapestries, meandering labyrinthine bazaars, windswept desert plains, and the legendary hospitality of its people. Highlights Include: Visit the palaces and Grand Bazaar of Tehran Explore Persepolis, ancient seat of the Persian Empire Experience the legendary Iranian cuisine & hospitality Wonder at the sublime architecture of Yazd, Shiraz ... Read more >

Ride horses through the sublime Naiman Nuur mountainous region of Central Mongolia, staying with local nomadic families along the way in their felt gers to experience their pastoral way of life, delicious natural foods and culture. You can hike alongside if you prefer as the distances we travel each day are manageable – or why not try horse riding for the first time! We will also visit beautifully preserved 16th Century Buddhist Monasteries and ride Bactrian camels across the sands of the Gobi Desert. Highlights include: Four days of horse riding Ride through the beautiful Naiman Nuur region Stay with local nomadic families in gers Ride/hike up to a picturesque mountain monastery Read more >

Experience three of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful alpine lakes: Stay in yurts on the shores of the majestic sea-like Issyk-Kul watching the local eagle hunters; earn a view of Chatyr-Kol after hiking/riding to a high pass deep in the Tian Shan Mountains along the ancient Silk Road; ride horses alongside nomad herders in the tranquillity Son-Kol, situated in the heart of the country surrounded by a gentle crown of mountains and grazing livestock in the summer months. Highlights include: Stay in yurts with local nomadic families Travel to pristine alpine lakes Day-hike in the Tian Shan Mountains Ride horses & watch eagle hunting Read more >

This adventure is the epitome of the road less travelled: Taking you into the very heart of nature, completely away from tourists, and with only a few local shepherds in yurts and their herds of free-roaming horses for company, we will hike and/or horse ride across beautiful untouched valleys and high passes of the Tian Shan Mountains.It is a great opportunity ride horses through beautiful valley pastures regardless of your level of experience, and also to sleep in a yurt and bathe in the natural hot springs with a cold beer or two on our final night in the mountains. Highlights include: Hike through a wild region the Tian Shan Meet local nomadic herders pasturing their livestock View ... Read more >

On this stunning adventure we will explore beautiful ancient rock-hewn churches carved high up into the mountainsides of the mind-blowing formations of Gheralta Mountains. We will camp in beautifully situated campsites such as under a giant sycamore tree and in a huge natural cave; meeting local villages along the way and learning about their culture as our unique route takes us through many villages and farmsteads, very rarely visited by foreigners. Highlights include: Explore 13th Century rock-hewn churches Walk through villages and meet local people Camp in beautiful valleys and hike up to great views Experience traditional food, music & dancing Read more >

The Ladakh region of Kashmir, “Little Tibet” or “ Land beyond the Passes” is one of the most remote areas of India, lying to the north of the Himalaya on the Tibetan Plateau. On this trekking adventure we will visit many of the incredible Tibetan monasteries, palaces and local people’s homes in the region. Ladakh is away from the disputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan; join us to experience this peaceful way of life beneath the snow-capped mountains. Highlights include: Visit Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries Hike through stupendous mountain scenery Discover the history of ancient kingdoms Experience the bustling market of Leh Read more >