Indus Tours, the tailor-made holiday specialist, has released its exclusive selection of escorted tours for 2010/2011. The new brochure features 11 exciting, individually-themed itineraries encompassing a huge range of incredible experiences across eight different countries, with highlights ranging from cruises on mighty rivers and explorations of ancient palaces to hiking remote mountain trails and riding elephants through the jungle. Each comprehensive, small-group itinerary is carefully planned and meticulously executed - and of course comes with the high levels of quality, service and value for money for which Indus Tours is renowned.

Escorted tours present the perfect opportunity for discerning, like-minded individuals to discover a challenging destination in comfort and ease. Indus Tours’ exclusively designed and well paced itineraries afford customers an unparalleled choice of discoveries and experiences in a safe and hassle-free environment. Every itinerary incorporates all the highlights that one might expect to see in a particular region and benefits from expert input from the experienced guides, ensuring that guests obtain maximum insight from their experiences and enjoy a relaxing and rewarding holiday from start to finish.

Indus Tours’ programme of small-group holidays offers exceptional value for money. Prices lead in at £1,095 per person for the Mount Toubkal Ascent itinerary, a seven-night adventure into the wilds of Morocco’s formidable High Atlas Mountains. Departing on 14 May, 2011, the holiday incorporates five full days of walking amid some of the country’s most spectacular natural scenery. The route follows ancient Berber mule trails through the mountains, taking in verdant valleys, fragrant pine forests and stark, rocky peaks on the journey to the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. The holiday ends with a two-night stay in exotic Marrakech, with an included tour of the city’s fascinating mosques, palaces and souks. The price includes flights, in-resort transfers, all accommodation, most meals, excursions as detailed in the itinerary and the services of guides and porters throughout.

Venturing to headier heights in the foothills of the Himalayas to an area steeped in Mughal history and coined “A Paradise on Earth”, Kashmir – The Secret Garden takes travellers on a majestic 10-night journey from the sleepy backwaters of Dal Lake to small rural alpine villages set to the most magnificent scenic backdrop of the world’s highest peaks. Staying in Srinagar’s elaborately appointed houseboats, which were first used by the British in the 19th century, local life is explored by shikara (water taxi) drifting through tranquil waterways before ascending to the village of Gulmarg in the foothills of the Pir Pangal range for a few days of guided alpine walking with the option to pony trek through unspoilt foothills or play golf on one of the highest courses in the world.. Prices lead in at £1995 per person and include flights, in-resort transfers, all accommodation, most meals, excursions as detailed in the itinerary and the services of guides throughout.

Less physically challenging is the Rajasthan - Rural & Regal itinerary, a 15-night journey of discovery through one of India’s most vibrant and evocative provinces. Starting with a thorough exploration of Delhi (both old and new), the tour continues through deserts and rural backwaters, taking in palaces, forts, temples, monuments and of course the lively and colourful local culture. Particular highlights on this holiday include a visit on elephant-back to the Amber Fort in Jaipur, as well as tours of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Fatehpur Sikri (a deserted city that was once the capital of the Mughal Empire); the impressive Agra Fort (widely considered to be the most important of India’s historic forts); and India’s most iconic building, the gleaming white monument of the Taj Mahal. The tour operates two departure dates in October 2010 and costs from £1,590 per person (to include flights, in-resort transfers, B&B accommodation, excursions and admission fees as detailed in the itinerary, plus the services of English-speaking guides). Indus Tours also provides the option to extend this holiday with a relaxing break on the sun-kissed beaches of Goa.

History and culture are also the focus of two other Asian itineraries, the 14-night Cultural Journey of Nepal (departing 13 November, 2010 and costing from £2,945 per person) and the 12-night Cultural Journey through Laos and Cambodia (departing 12 February, 2011, from £2,895 per person). In addition to monasteries and temples decorated with fluttering prayer flags, the Nepalese itinerary includes a three-day visit to Bardia National Park - with an opportunity to search for local wildlife such as deer, tigers and the rare one-horned rhinoceros on an exhilarating elephant-back safari. There are more palaces and temples to discover in Cambodia and Laos, though the undisputed high point of this itinerary must be the visit to Angkor Wat - dating from the 12th Century, this vast UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest religious monument in the world.

Possibly the most unique holiday in the brochure is the Pongal Festival & South India itinerary. Departing on 11 January, 2011, this tour is timed to take in the Pongal Festival, an annual event filled with feasting and dancing that celebrates the prosperity of the rice harvest. Villages across southern India hold special festivities to honour both the crop itself and the oxen whose labours in the fields contribute to the success of the harvest. In order to fully experience the true spirit of Pongal, the itinerary includes a two-night stay in a traditional southern Indian homestay. Other highlights include visits to the cities of Chennai, Mysore and Cochin. The holiday costs from £1,985 per person, to include flights, in-resort transfers, accommodation, most meals, excursions and admission fees as detailed in the itinerary and the services of a tour leader throughout.

Commenting on the new brochure, Yasin Zagar, Managing Director of Indus Tours, said, “Our new programme heralds an exciting time at Indus Tours as we continue to develop and expand our programme of escorted, small-group tours. With a number of new tours and an ever-increasing portfolio of destinations, this is our biggest and best offering to date and provides a thorough insight into the cultural wonders of each of the countries that we feature.”