Austin Adventures has catered to globe-trotting guests for decades—sending them to the far reaches of South America, Europe, Africa and Australia. But now, for the first-time in the company’s 41-year legacy, it’s offering guests small group adventure tours in Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Bali rice fields
“Asia can be an overwhelming place to break into from a business perspective,” says Dan Austin, President and Founder of Billings, MT-based Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/). “But, I’ve always been intrigued by this corner of the continent, and I couldn’t be more excited that we are now positioned to help travelers experience the best of Southeast Asia, Bali and Sri Lanka.”
The company’s first foray into the region was when it added a small ship luxury Mekong River cruise to its 2015 adult adventure vacation catalog. (Passengers on the five-day cruise stay on the Aqua Mekong and visit floating villages, Buddhist temples and vibrant local markets in Vietnam and Cambodia as they travel between Saigon and Phnom Penh.)
More recently, Austin Adventures has partnered with Khiri Travel to add five new trips to its roster of all-inclusive adventure vacations. Since 1994, Khiri Travel has offered intimate tours in Southeast Asia, and the company has offices in Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
“We’re looking forward to working with Austin Adventures as our vision of sustainable, experiential travel aligns perfectly with Austin Adventures’ brand of adventure. From exploring ancient ruins to luxury eco-lodges and personal connections with local communities, Asia provides some of the most exotic travel experiences in the world. It’s our pleasure to share our passion for Asia with Austin Adventures and their discerning clientele,” says Michael Healy, General Manager at Khiri Travel USA.
Healy and Austin will be hosting a free webinar, “Adventure Vacations in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka,” on Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m. EST. Members of the media and the general public can register for the webinar here. The presentation will feature photos and details on the new trips which range in price depending on dates and number of travelers. Attendees will also be able to participate in a Q&A session where they can inquire about the new itineraries including:
Sri Lanka | Silk Road Adventure
This 12-day island adventure begins with looking for leopards, water buffalo and sloth bears on a safari in Wilpattu National Park. Other trip highlights include watching the sun rise from atop 7,360-ft-tall Adam’s Peak, rafting the Kelani Ganga, dining on the beach at Trincomalee and taking in a traditional dance performance. Accommodations include an award-winning eco-lodge, a tented safari camp, a jungle beach resort and an upscale “retro-chic” hotel in the city of Colombo.
Thailand | Bangkok to Krabi
A foodie tour in the bustling Chinatown district of Bangkok kicks off this 12-day vacation which ends in Krabi where travelers can explore the coastline by mountain biking, kayaking or snorkeling. The itinerary also includes a visit to Patara Elephant Camp, a hike in Khao Yai National Park and a swim at the base of the waterfall made famous in the movie, The Beach. Accommodations include several resorts and a top-rated riverside boutique hotel in Bangkok.
Discovering the Spirit of Myanmar
From the gold-plated Shwedagon Pagoda to the floating villages on Inle Lake, this 12-day itinerary is full of incredible and awe-inspiring sights. Travelers can bike the rolling hills of Mandalay, cruise the scenic Ayeyarwaddy River and even opt for a hot air balloon ride over the city of Bagan. The trip includes stays at a colonial-style mansion, a quaint hotel and spa and an oceanfront resort.
Adventurous Bali
Between biking the backroads of Bali’s cultural center, Ubud, hiking above the clove plantations in Munduk and paddleboarding on the pristine waters of Bedugul, this 13-day adventure provides an array of options for the active explorer. Guests stay at distinctive accommodations including a romantic beach resort, contemporary villas and a boutique hotel on a coffee plantation.
Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh to Ha Long Bay
This two-week-long trip showcases the diverse natural beauty and cultural delights of this exciting country. The itinerary includes a visit to the homes of villagers in Rag Lai, a hike to a 900-foot-tall waterfall in Bach Ma National Park, a kayak excursion in Ha Long Bay and a stop at the Forbidden Purple City. Guests stay at an elegant hotel in Saigon, an eco-lodge in Cat Tien National Park and a peaceful resort and spa situated on the shore of a lagoon. – From $5,424 / person
All of the new Asia trips will be featured in the 2016 Austin Adventures catalogs which will be released in a few months and the trip itineraries and photos will be posted online at www.austinadventures.com in early June.
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