Full of far eastern promise

The world’s longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Far East brochure for 2010 featuring a comprehensive programme of escorted group tours and private tailor-made travel to China, Japan, Mongolia and South East Asia.

New for 2010 are twin-centre private journeys combining China with Japan and Thailand with Laos, a comprehensive journey through Thailand and tailor-made travel ideas for Japan, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

China is still Cox & Kings’ biggest selling destination in the Far East and one of the most popular countries in its entire portfolio, which now includes more than 100 countries worldwide. The company’s best-selling China Experience group tour starts at just £1,745 per person (the same price as 2009) and offers an affordable introduction to the country in just nine nights.

For second or third-time visitors to China, or those looking to explore the country’s rural attractions, Natural Wonders of China (Page 20) is a new 14-night private journey that takes in some of China’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Mount Huang, the sacred Yellow mountain, and the alpine scenery and turquoise lakes of Jiuzhaigou. The tour also visits the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, ancient Xian and Beijing, and provides an overview of both the natural and historic highlights of this vast country. From £3,195 per person including flights with British Airways, accommodation with breakfast and some additional meals, and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

Tailor-made suggestions in China include the scenery of Zhangjiajie in the Hunan Province, the ancient villages of Wuyuan Country in Jiangxi Province, and activities such as Tai Chi lessons, Peking Opera performances and cooking classes in Beijing and Yangshuo.

For Cox & Kings, the region’s success story for 2009 is Vietnam, having overtaken Cambodia as the second most popular destination after China. In response to increased demand for tailor-made itineraries, the company has dedicated a page in its new brochure to Tailor-Made Vietnam (Page 64), including a journey aboard the classically restored Victoria Express train to Sapa, a region of stunning mountain scenery and bustling weekend markets, and cruises along the Mekong from the Vietnam delta into tranquil Cambodia.

Following several years’ growth in private tailored travel throughout the continent, Cox & Kings has increased the coverage of its tailor-made offering. Product Manager for the Far East Yaow Butwisate says “we are really trying to communicate our flexibility in the brochure this year. More and more clients are opting for tailor-made holidays in the Far East and we have allocated some extra space to show some of our ideas for alternative holidays and to demonstrate just how great the scope is for original, tailored travel.”

New: Treasures of the Orient (Page 25): This is a great value private tour combining the highlights of China and Japan. Begin in Beijing with visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China before continuing to Xian to see the legendary Terracotta Warriors. A stay in Shanghai offers the chance to see China’s economic progress before travelling into Japan. Discover the cultural capital of Kyoto, see Mount Fuji and Hakone National Park and travel by bullet train to the fascinating and fast-paced capital, Tokyo. The 13-night private journey costs from £3,595 per person including flights with British Airways, accommodation with breakfast and some additional meals, and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

New: Laos & Thailand Explorer (Page 57): This new 14-night private journey takes in southern Laos and the northeast of Thailand: less-visited areas that are rich in cultural heritage and picturesque natural scenery. Visit Luang Prabang and Vientiane and take a two-night Vat Phou cruise down the mighty Mekong River to explore pre-Angkorian temples. Explore the northeast of Thailand, home to many beautiful temples and welcoming people; see Thailand’s largest elephant village at Ban Ta Klang, and ancient silk weaving techniques at Ban Tha Sawang. From £3,595 per person including flights with Thai Airways, accommodation with breakfast and many additional meals, and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

New: Treasures of Thailand (Page 58): This comprehensive two-week introduction to Thailand takes in the sights of vibrant Bangkok, the hill villages of Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and the ancient Lanna capital of Chiang Saen. Continue south to the mangroves and rainforest of Khao Sok National Park and stay at the Elephant Hills Tented Camp. From £2,995 per person including flights with Thai Airways, accommodation with breakfast and lunches, and all transfers and excursions on a private basis.

New: Tailor-Made Japan (Pages 38-39): Amongst the new tailor-made content in the brochure is a double page spread on Japan, a country that lends itself well to independent exploration. Choose to explore by public transport or to self-drive, and venture away from the beaten track to see some of the country’s lesser-known highlights. Cox & Kings recommends visiting Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, an area of spectacular natural scenery and extreme winter conditions. Alternatively, travel to the Japanese Alps for hiking trails and hot spring resorts, or Mount Koya, one of Japan’s holiest mountains, surrounded by more than 100 monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

New: Tailor-Made Malaysia (Pages 72-73): Tailor-made travel options for Malaysia include a cruise through Borneo on Malaysia’s longest river, the Rajang, where there is an abundance of wildlife, amazing scenery and some longhouse communities. Alternatively, visit Mulu National Park in Sarawak, noted for its landscape of soaring peaks, dense jungle and underground cave system. The park is home to 8000 species of plant and tree, an amazing diversity of wildlife, and the Penan people, a nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers.

See coxandkings.co.uk for the full Far East programme.