We just returned from a 6-week Journey Around the World, and had Global Basecamps arrange our guides and itinerary in both Cairo and Beijing. Our travel coordinator really understood our goals for our adventures with our 4 young children. As a seasoned traveler, I usually do all the planning, but felt that we needed help in these two countries. Andres arranged 2 fabulous guides for us, and a great itinerary in both countries. The guides were the best that we experienced, and not only were they flexible to the needs of our family (kids ages 7-12), but they really made sure our children understood the history of the sites that we were visiting. We felt safe. Our drivers were on time and very responsible in driving us around the crazy traffic. We would definitely use Global Basecamps again for our next adventure.
Spice Coast Cruises
Vembanad Lake, India
Prices From: $415
Spice Coast Cruising takes place on solid little two-bedroom craft. The fore area is an open lounge canopied with cane and rattan. All the comforts of home abound, with queen-sized beds, tiled bathrooms and modern plumbing. Even bookshelves, china tea services and an armchair or two. Fans and lights are powered by solar panels on the roof. So all you need to do is relax, open your senses and submit to the famed backwater magic.
The culture and lifestyle of the backwaters is as unique as the ecology. Habitation is everywhere, but in such harmony that it it seems inseparable from nature.
Wood and slapdash plaster huts are scattered on both sides, with an ever-present complement of pigs, chickens and buffaloes. Rice fields stretch like improbably large lawns, laid out amidst clusters thick with coconut, cashew , guava and mango. Fishing boats with home-made patchwork sails ply thecanals. A little hut turns out to be a coir factory, with women spinning and knotting busily. A man stands still as a yogi, neck-deep in the canal, waiting to catch a prize fish with his bare hands.
And there, sitting in a Planter's armchair, a coconut cocktail conveniently to hand, are you. Gliding gently along through it all, witness to this mystical passing show.
Location
Region: Asia - South
Address:
Vembanad Lake
India
Amenities/Activities
All Meals
Ecologically Responsible
Client Testimonials
Marie, Custom trip to Egypt and China
My trip was awesome! I trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro and what an experience! Everyday it either rained--drops as big as dinner plates--snowed, hailed, ice storm--the night we made it to the summit--the wind blew and generally we had cold weather, but I made it to the summit! That is what my goal was and the weather wasn't going to stop me. The guides were exceptional--Ronald. He told me he would get me to the summit and he did! The support staff were wonderful and the cook--excellent! He even had a cake for me at the end of the trek. It was a perfect trip--memories for a lifetime. Thanks to Meagan for all the planning she did to make my trip exceptional.
Barbara, Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro
