About the Travel Club
We exist to provide members with the opportunity to join a small group of like-minded travellers to enjoy a tramping based holiday overseas, while also supporting Federated Mountain Clubs. Everyone wins!
While focusing on tramping, there are normally walking and sightseeing opportunities included as we travel through an area. Parties are small, usually 8 – 12, with a group leader from New Zealand in most cases. Trip costs are modest, yet we manage to provide an income to FMC for every trip that operates. Where possible, we use backpackers’ hostels and cabins (and tents!), and land transport is mostly rental minibuses or local buses and trains.
These are participatory trips where members share the duties of group catering and driving. and otherwise working together under the direction of the leader. This proves very satisfying and must be working well, as we get some people who join us year after year.
Depending on the destination, we may price trips ex NZ or from the start city overseas. We can arrange flights to or from these points and can assist with any pre or post trip arrangements you might like to add on – a one stop shop! Travel insurance and personal expenses, maybe a few meals – these are often the only extra expenses you will incur. Otherwise our holidays are very inclusive.
If you see one that looks interesting, contact John Dobbs right away, as some fill very rapidly. Join one of our excellent trips. It’s a win-win situation! Please enquire early, even while a trip is being ‘assembled’, to make sure of your place.
P.S. John is always keen to hear from anyone suitably able and willing to lead a group and to work with him on an irresistible itinerary somewhere! If this is you, contact him now.
Click here to ask a question about any trip or to contact John directly at travelclub@fmc.org.nz
2012 Trips
TASMANIA – departs February. Led by John Dobbs.
An old favourite with a new twist! Perhaps Aussie’s best tramping here. Delightful surprises and the convict heritage are part of the appeal. Dossier available here. [NB This is the amended dossier published in June 2011]
This trip has been confirmed
There are 4 places left . If you would like to join us please contact John Dobbs urgently at travelclub@fmc.org.nz (August 2011)
NEPAL – late March & April
The Himalaya, world’s highest mountain range, provides some of the finest tramping opportunities anywhere. This exciting and challenging trip reaches Everest Base Camp, affording awesome views of Everest and its companions. Then cross the Cho La Pass to see the Gokyo Lakes. We use local guides and porters to help us travel safely and enrich our experience and understanding. Staying at local lodges adds to our local contact. Timing provides a spring experience so the rhododendron forests will be coming into colour. There will be unsurpassed views and conditions should be clear. For a complete contrast – Chitwan National Park close to the Indian border is a wonderful place to observe wildlife, experience elephant safaris and jungle walks. Immerse in Nepali culture and enjoy the medieval architecture and diversity of Kathmandu. Dossier Available here
KOKODA TRAIL in PNG May
A challenging trip which will appeal to to the fitter ones looking for a new challenge and interested in exploring part of the war heritage. Dossier Available here
SOUTH AUSTRALIA and LARAPINTA TRAIL – May and June.
An interesting combination of the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island through the best of South Australia. Then tackle the Larapinta Trail which is now a great walk of the world – we will tramp the best parts of the trail. You can do just the South Australia part or just the Larapinta Trail or the full McCoy! Will appeal to those wanting a trip closer to home. Dossier Available here
PERU and BOLIVIA – May – June. Led by Eileen Cameron
Two separate trips designed to run concurrently! Complementary destinations of enormous scope and experiences. Superb tramping and Andean culture. Will tick many boxes! Dossier Available here
ITALIAN DOLOMITES – AUSTRIAN STUBAIER – SWISS ALPS – June and July. Led by Marianne and Urs Reinhard.
Separate but complementary trips! The dramatic and beautiful Dolomites in Italy A wonderful circuit in the Austrian Tyrol Mountains and finally another trip to the Swiss Alps. Very appealing to those on our previous trips in Switzerland etc and also those yet to experience the European way to tramp! Dossier Available here
TURKEY and CRETE – August / September.
Our 3rd adventure to Turkey includes the exotic east and Kackar Mountains. A different way of doing Turkey with appeal to past travelers to Turkey, plus newcomers. Then when you have discovered Turkey you can carry on to Crete. Dossier Available here
SOUTH AFRICA – departs September – led by Peter Wolfenden
A camping and tramping safari through the “Rainbow Nation” including the renowned Kruger, Drakensburg Garden Route to Cape Town. The tramping is varied and always interesting in mountain, forest, coastal and bush environments. A superb overview of this great country. Dossier Available here
Sub Antarctic Islands & Antarctica
Readers will have heard of Rodney Russ and Heritage Expeditions, based in Christchurch. They have been providing brilliant natural history expedition cruises to our Sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica for 12 years, and won many awards along the way. A recent association with Wild Earth Travel has expanded the range of superb specialist nature watch cruises around the world to unusual and remote places. They are recognized worldwide and offer truly unique, amazing adventures.
The Travel Club has a new link to these companies, which we are very excited to promote. If their trips appeal and you book either through FMC Travel Club or by mentioning your link to FMC if going direct, then FMC will receive a payment in recognition. A wonderful new way to extend real value to FMC! To learn more about the amazing adventures available, contact John Dobbs, or visit the respective websites. Thank you for considering these incredible adventure cruises and supporting FMC in the process.
2013 trip ideas will be appearing so watch this space !
Past Trips
The dossiers for previous trips (from 2009) are available on the FMC Travel Club Archive site.
page updated 3/2/2012