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.
2011 Trips
THAILAND & LAOS Northern Thailand & Northern Laos are a complimentary combination, with great trails to visit ethnic minorities. Experience tribal cultures before they change forever. A fascinating insight with our regional expert, John Gray Dossier available here
TASMANIA – departs February. Those in the know agree Tassie’s tramping is as good as New Zealand, or even better! This wonderful island & its 20 national parks captivate every time. A little bit Aussie, a little bit England & a whole lot more. Dossier Available here
Detailed dossiers for the trips below will be published on the website as soon as they are available. If you have a preliminary interest then complete the enquiry form
BOLIVIA – departs June. Jane Shearer leads our programme in South America’s most amazing country, featuring a microcosm of the continent’s best attractions. La Paz, highest capital in the world; Lake Titicaca; Amazonian jungles; the Andes; the vast salt flats. Vibrant, colourful & friendly people. Enjoy great tramping & variety (can be combined with a possible trip to Peru – see below).
MONGOLIA – departs July The land of Ghengis Khan where nomadic cultures & traditions have been preserved. A vast country with remote mountains, the Gobi Desert, rolling grasslands & pristine lakes. We work with a local operator to create a memorable journey.
The following three European trips can be easily linked. Dates are flexible & other than the Camino, the itineraries are not determined yet.
SWITZERLAND – departs July. Another classic tramping journey in the Swiss Alps with Marianne Reinhard in one of the great tramping areas of the world. Superb scenery & efficient logistics make for a memorable holiday.
ICELAND – departs August. Possibly repeating our 2004 trip as led by Andy Dennis. A truly rewarding & fascinating country.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – departs September. Our long awaited five week pilgrimage from southwest France, over the Pyrenees & across northern Spain to the Atlantic Coast. This is increasingly recognized as one of the world’s great journeys, with every day different. Don’t miss it.
OTHER TRIPS UNDER CONSIDERATION
PERU Departs May, so as to precede Bolivia
Conceptual only as at Feb 2010 :
BHUTAN & SIKKIM March to April or October to November are ideal
SOUTHWEST USA National Parks. April to May or September to October are ideal
SOUTH AFRICA Between March & October
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Within April to September (Kangaroo Island, Flinders Ranges, etc)
2010 Trips
Read a summary of all the 2010 trips here: 2010 Trips Trip details in this schedule may change from time to time so check each trip below as well !
Switzerland (Jul / Aug) A flexible trip involving Swiss Alps, Dolomites and Mt Blanc or a combination
Alaska-Yukon (Jul/Aug) Cruise the Inside Passage, follow in the steps of Klondike miners – a big wide adventure
Ladakh and Spiti (Jul/Aug) Visit the Tibetan Plateau and do some high altitude treks in remote areas.
PRICE REDUCTION !!!
Recent changes by our dollar against the pound enables us to pass the benefits on to you.