Tour participants with Exodus Travels frequently encounter sights such as Sherpa and yak in Nepal's Khumbu, nearby Everest.
In 2012, many travellers were captivated by the "Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime" list, but a recent search reveals that specific details about the top 10 guided tours from this list are not easily found online. If you're keen on discovering these elusive tours, it's recommended to refer to the original publication or website of the list for a comprehensive overview.
While the exact itineraries of the 2012 list remain a mystery, we can still delve into some popular guided tours from that period that were widely recognised for their unique experiences.
One such tour was the 23-day trek through the Nar and Phu valleys in Nepal, offered by One World Trekking. This detour from the Annapurna Circuit trek featured ancient Buddhist monasteries, ethnically Tibetan communities, and possibly high concentrations of snow leopards, making it an adventure not to be missed. The cost for this once-in-a-lifetime journey started from $2,905.
Another noteworthy tour was GeoEx's "Treasures of Persia," a 21-day exploration of Iran priced at $8,075. This tour took travellers through Tehran, Hamadan, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Esfahan, offering a glimpse into the rich history and culture of this enigmatic country.
For those seeking a more leisurely pace, G Adventures offered a 7-day sailing adventure around Koh Samui in Thailand. This trip included snorkelling, swimming, and exploring Koh Ang Thong National Park and Koh Phangan, all for $1,599.
In Iran, guests visiting Mashad, the most important Shiite pilgrimage site, typically found themselves as the only Westerners in the area.
Big Five Tours and Expeditions provided an 19-day journey called "Foundations of Faith," which delved deep into Jewish roots and traditions in Israel, Turkey, and Morocco, priced at $11,990.
Jeff Fuchs led a 10-day trip along the Tea Horse Road in China, called "The Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road," with prices starting from $3,745.
A month-long journey, "Mekong Experience," travelled down the Mekong River through six countries, priced at $7,499.
For history enthusiasts, Andante Travels offered an archaeology-focused tour through Japan's four major islands, featuring the Niigata Prefectural Museum of History and Osaka Castle, for 18 days at a cost of $7,237.
Exodus Travels provided a 20-day bike ride from Lhasa to Kathmandu, called "Lhasa to Kathmandu Ride," priced at $3,430 (plus $270 bike rental).
Horizon & Co offered a multi-sport tour exploring Haifa, Galilee, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Eilat, and Tel Aviv for 13 days, priced at $4,995.
Lastly, Journeys International provided an 11-day journey through the remote northern trek in Myanmar's Lisu and Rawan hill country, costing $3,350.
Though the "Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime for 2012" remains elusive in our search results, these tours offer a glimpse into the diverse and exciting travel opportunities that were available during that time. Whether it's trekking through the Himalayas, exploring Persia, or sailing around Thailand, there was truly a tour for every kind of traveller in 2012.
- The 'Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime' list in 2012 sparked travelers' interest, but its specific details are hard to find online.
- One such tour on the list was a 23-day trek through Nepal's Nar and Phu valleys, offering adventure, culture, and possibly snow leopard sightings.
- Another tour, 'Treasures of Persia' by GeoEx, was a 21-day exploration of Iran, showcasing the country's rich history and culture.
- For a more relaxed experience, G Adventures offered a sailing adventure around Koh Samui in Thailand, featuring snorkeling and exploring Koh Ang Thong National Park.
- In Iran, Mashad, a significant Shiite pilgrimage site, often found guests as the only Westerners in the area.
- For history enthusiasts, Andante Travels provided an archaeology-focused tour in Japan, featuring Niigata Prefectural Museum of History and Osaka Castle.
