24 October – 1 November 2015 

Justin Wateridge, MD at Steppes Travel and passionate pioneer is continuously travelling and researching unexplored corners of the world on the hunt for something beyond the ordinary.  He has most recently travelled to the depths of Congo and the little visited Chad, while 2014 took him to diverse Papua New Guinea and the stark beauty of Western Mongolia.  

Whilst in Mongolia, Justin spent time with the noble Kazakh eagle hunters and Steppes Travel is now delighted to be launching a new group trip based on his experiences. 

It is the vastness of the country and the extraordinary warmth of its people which gave Justin a lasting impression of life in the Altai Mountains.  He says, 'Mongolia has a sense of space, tradition and laughter that cannot be found elsewhere.  But go now before this ancient nomadic way of life is no longer'  With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, 27% of the population lived in the capital Ulaabaatar.  Following a number of bitter winters, which killed valuable livestock, more than 50% of the population now live in the capital.  The influx of people to the capital continues as life becomes tougher elsewhere.  

Forbidding and harsh, the landscape imbues a stark beauty and whilst passing the odd yak and herd of sheep the horizon remains profoundly empty.  After a three and a half hour car journey from Ulgii, you come to what feels like the ends of the earth.  A wide valley flanked on both sides by high mountains and blanketed in snow, this is home to the Kazakh eagle hunters.  The Kazakh hunters have roamed the valleys and mountains of western Mongolia, and for two centuries have hunted on horseback with trained golden eagles. It is a tradition that is passed on through generations, hunting a variety of animals – including rabbits, marmots, foxes and even wolves - for their fur, an integral part of traditional Kazakh clothing

The hunters ride dressed in traditional dark coats and scarlet hats with eagles perched on their arms. Weighing as much as fifteen pounds, these eagles are trained from a young age to respond to hand signals and return to their owners after capturing small game.  They become part of the family, are said to connect emotionally with their owners and are treasured enough to sleep in the warmth inside.

While the days are spent on horseback, hunting for prey across the snow covered plains, the evenings are spent in the warmth of the eagle hunter's family in a traditional ger home.  Food, vodka and much merriment are the luxuries in this very simple way of life. 

To catch a glimpse of what it's like to ride alongside the Kazakh Eagle Hunters do click through to this video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6S41njiQYI
 

MONGOLIA: Eagle Hunters
24 October – 1 November 2015 
9 days from £3,695 per person  

A pioneering trip to the wild and vast expanses of Mongolia.  A trip for the adventurous:

•       Join Kazakh horsemen as they hunt with their Golden Eagles - a thrilling
        experience

•       Meet local families in their traditional ger homes and experience the hospitality
        offered by these wonderful people

•       Spend the night in a beautifully decorated Kazakh ger

•       An opportunity to capture some remarkable photos

•       Experience the wild and rugged scenery of the Altai Mountains

As well as Steppes Travel's portfolio of pioneering group trips, it continues to offer a range of expert-led trips, including a selection of photographic, cultural and wildlife trips.  Do have a look below for some of Steppes Travel's 2015 expert-led group trips:

PHOTOGRAPHY

PERU:  Amazon Photographic Tour with Charlie Hamilton James 
5 June 2015 
15 days from £4,075 per person

• Unique opportunity to be guided and coached by leading photographer and television presenter Charlie Hamilton James in the Manu Biosphere
• Meet with the scientists and volunteers and learn about the research being done in the area.
• Get your hands dirty and help the research team with one of the monitoring programmes, as well as interacting with native communities along the river in the National Park.
• Learn about Charlie's commitment to the preservation of Manu, his passion for nature and life-long obsession to understand, document and save it
• See macaws and parakeets, as well as herons, cormorants and kingfishers along the rivers and look out for the Giant Otter and Jaguar
• Explore Cusco - the Inca capital of Peru

 ZAMBIA:  Wildlife Photographic Safari with Sue Flood
13 May 2015 
10 days from £4,895 per person

• Expert-led by professional photographer Sue Flood
• 10 days spent photographing in Zambia's wildlife-rich South Luangwa
• Small group of 8 people, combining photographic tuition with game drives and walks
• Staying at intimate bush camps run by the renowned Bushcamp Company       

GALAPAGOS:  David Plummer Photographic Tour 

7 October 2015

11 days from £3,550 per person

• Explore one of the top wildlife spots in the world
• Hone your photography skills with the help of wildlife photographer David Plummer
• Eight days sailing around the Galapagos archipelago including remote Genovesa island
• Get close to boobies, tortoises, iguanas, penguins, rays, sharks, frigatebirds and more

CULTURE

ARMENIA & GEORGIA:  Ancient Lands of Transcaucasia
1 June 2015 
14 days from £2,705 per person

• Explore Transcaucasia's rich mix of Christian traditions and art, under the expert guidance of William Taylor, Chairman of the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, an Anglican priest, and writer and broadcaster on the Islamic World and Orthodox Churches
• Beginning in the shadow of Mount Ararat, travel from the world famous illuminated manuscripts in Yerevan to the staggering religious architecture of Sanahin and Haghpat
• Crossing over in to Georgia, land of Jason and the Argonauts, discover dramatic, unspoilt scenery peppered with fascinating historical and religious sites. 
• From Tbilisi's Metekhi Citadel to the rock-cut monasteries of Gareja, explore Georgia's magnificent art and architecture. 
• Sample the region's delicious food and innumerable wines, along with its renowned hospitality

PERU:  Central and Northern Peru with Hilary Bradt
6 June 2015 
15 days from £2,860 per person 

• Explore the Pre-Inca ruins around Chiclayo in Northern Peru
• This special tour combines the fascinating yet little-visited archaeological sites of northern Peru with the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca in central Peru, all accompanied by special guest, Hilary Bradt
• Wander through the largest ancient stone structure in South America, the Kuelap fortress
• Lodge based trek in the spectacular Cordillera Blanca and Negra mountains in central Peru
• Listen to anecdotes of journeys through Peru from the last 45 years traveling with Hilary Bradt

WILDLIFE

BRAZIL:  The Jaguar Expedition 
12 May 2015 
26 May 2015
13 days from £4,695 per person 

• Spend time in the Mamiraua Reserve deep in the Brazilian Amazon with jaguar researchers
• Mamiraua reserve has one of the highest densities of jaguars in the world
• Small privileged group joining jaguar researchers in the Amazon
• Visit the Pantanal exploring this wildlife rich area on foot, horseback and canoes 

INDONESIAN BORNEO: Orangutan Conservation
12 June 2015 
12 days from £2,995 per person 

• Come face-to-face with orangutans in Tanjung Puting National Park.
• Join experts from the Orangutan Foundation and gain an insight into conservation projects.
• Experience river journeys through dense jungle; spot proboscis monkeys and monitor lizards.
• Visit the renowned Camp Leakey and gain exclusive access to orangutan release sites.

For further press information please contact: 

Frangelica Flook frangelica.flook@cedartreepr.com 

Henrietta Quicke henrietta.quicke@cedartreepr.com

T: 020 7978 4534, M: 07747 606 898

Note to Editors:

Specialist tour operator Steppes Travel designs innovative tailor-made itineraries for 'off the beaten track' trips. With over two decades' experience in the industry, Steppes Travel fields a team of creative, knowledgeable and responsible experts committed to providing ethical, pioneering journeys all over the world.

Steppes offers exceptional wildlife holidays focusing on conservation with sustainable and responsible travel at the forefront of their mind. By joining forces with local research projects on an Indian tiger safari or whilst gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, or supporting carefully chosen wildlife charities in the Galapagos Islands, Steppes is able to give privileged insight into the natural world while supporting conservation and local communities worldwide.

Also, recognised as one of the UK's leading specialists in cultural tours and historical and archaeological small group holidays, Steppes prides itself on offering a diverse range of small group tours led by renowned experts, and their pioneering reputation.