The operator has initially unveiled nine itineraries as part of the new Explore Beyond programme and is promising to launch two extra tours every month from December.
The nine trips announced so far include Undiscovered Burma, which visits the Death Valley railway, an itinerary featuring Yunnan’s Fire Sacrifice Festival in China, and Wild Zambia, where guests travel to the North Luangwa national park, which has only recently opened to the public.
Another tour explores North America’s national parks and is timed to allow customers to witness the total solar eclipse from Grand Teton national park in August 2017.
Explore’s product director John Telfer explained the thinking behind the new tours: “We’ve designed these trips to get back to our roots and provide customers with pioneering new product choices and off-the-beaten-track adventures.
“Some are one-off events, such as festivals and eclipse departures; others are unpolished recce trips venturing into new territories around the world. We’re positive these exciting new trips will position Explore as the pioneers of adventure travel.”
The Explore Beyond itineraries will initially be offered to the operator’s previous customers before being put on general sale. Prices for the trips have yet to be confirmed.
Managing director Ashley Toft added: “We are pledging to launch two new trips every month from December onwards so you can rely on Explore for a constant stream of new, exciting and unique travel ideas.
“Explore Beyond is all about pushing boundaries – every trip we operate is unique in its own right.
We build a number of Explore twists into every tour we operate.
“These travel experiences can be cultural, activity-based, or could be an unusual form of transport or unique place to stay.”
Other Explore Beyond options include an India trip in October 2016 visiting the Bateshwar Festival and the holy city of Varanasi to coincide with the Diwali festival of light.
There are also two family-orientated winter tours to the Harbin Winter Ice Festival in China and the Transylvanian Alps in Romania, which offers activities such as learning survival skills and how to track wildlife.
