All About UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) aims to preserve our cultural and natural heritage. These particular sites belong to everyone, and are of important value to humanity, so therefore are protected by a universal body! The initial campaign began in the 20th Century, when Egypt decided to build the Aswan Dam. It would flood the valley below, where the ancient Abu Simbel temples were located. Due to the support of UNESCO, the temples were dismantled and reassembled on higher ground. Imagine the devastation if these ancient temples were washed away with complete human purpose! Just based on those grounds, I am a massive fan of UNESCO, let alone the millions of other wonderful places it has helped preserved over all these decades. By visiting these sites, you help contribute to the upkeep of these precious pearls of our world, inevitably enabling further funding for future undiscovered sites in need of salvage! Here are some Kumuka Tours that take you to UNESCO sites, with a brief description of the sites visited: Highlights of South Korea » Seokguram Grotto built in the 8th century on a mountain slope, and houses one of the world’s best sculptures of Buddha. Together with the complex that it forms with the Pulguksa Temple, is an outstanding example of the regions religious architecture. » Hwaseong Fortress built in the late 18th century by King Jeongjo, it surrounds the centre of Suwon city and King Jeongjos palace. It honours and houses the remains of his father, who was murdered by being locked alive inside a rice chest (by his own father), because he didn’t obey his command to commit suicide. World Heritage South East Asia » Luang Prabang an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures, with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two cultural traditions. » Halong Bay includes some 1,600 islands/islets, and a spectacular scene of limestone pillars. There are also caves and grottoes filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A geographical marvel! » Monuments of Hue City established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hué was also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. » Hoi An town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and street plans reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. » Angkor one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km squared, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. back to top

The Road to Damascus

Kumuka is REAL travelling. It is basically backpacking, but with a group of like minded people, a guide who will help you get from A to Z and everywhere in between. I packed so much more into the two weeks I had away than had I tried to embark on such a trip on my own. And good value for money. Thanks for a magic experience!

Dan Holmes

Dan travelled to The Middle East on The Road to Damascus tour 

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Kumuka realeases a new, cheaper Chitwan National Park experience

This new tour Chitwan National Park (Private Vehicle) is an alternative to the Chitwan National Park (Flight) for those of you who want a cheaper option. The tour can be added on to Nepal or Tibet Tours or can be offered as a stand alone tour!

Road transfers are by private vehicle. This tour is run on a request basis and daily departures are available. Prices are based on a min of 2 people travelling together, however if you are a solo traveller, you can pay the single supplement and have your own private tour!

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Travel Tip of The Month

Take a Journal

If I have learned one thing from all my years of travelling, it’s take time out each day to record the precious memories you have gathered. Yes, some travelling experiences will always be with you, whether in the form of a memory, or something that changed the way you view your existence, but as time moves on the smaller spectacles fade away, and these by themselves can form one of the most amazing collages one has ever seen.

These visions are not necessarily lost forever, but are moved to the back of your storage box as the day to day life memory necessities, like “I must feed the fish” move in. As you read through your journal, your memory will automatically send your brain cells to work, and they will weave in and out of the storage room in your head until they find that particular memory, where you can view the painting so clearly, without that I fear you would be trying to find a polar bear in the desert!

It may sound superficial, but getting a journal that looks great, whilst still remaining practical is the best way to go. Writing on a dodgy paper text book is not so enticing, and they can easily get damaged, or pages of your precious memories could fall out. Sticking physical memories (such as the elephant you just saw...kidding) in the journal can make it more interesting, as well as quick dodgy stickmen drawings can make your journal more exciting, and take less time than actually trying to explain it.

Happy travels and writing...

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Brendan's Blog

A Homestay on Lake Titicaca by Brendan Van Son

As they see the boats coasting in towards their island homes they race to get themselves ready to greet their white faced visitors. They sit patiently along the shores of this lake, nestled in the middle of the Andean Ranges of the mountains at 3810 meters above sea lever, dressed in finely sewn white blouses, multi-layered thick black skirts. They fling black shawls with intricately weaved designs stitched in bright colours of red, yellow, blue, and purple. As they wait they weave feverishly chullos (wool beanies) to give to their wide eyed guests. As the strangers arrive to the island their white teeth grin wide as they greet them with giggles and quick jokes under their breaths in Quechua. They happily shake the hands of the arriving intruders to Amantani Island and guide them up the steep hills to their humble houses.

At their houses, built from red earth adobe bricks, there are rooms specifically put together for tourists. Lights lit by efficient solar power, local decorations, and heavy Alpaca wool blankets occupy the space of the rooms. The rest of the house is more basic. The walkways are pieced together by plywood and creaking nails. There is no running water, and the toilets – yes there are toilets – are flushed by dumping a bucket of water into the basin. The smokey kitchen is based by a dirt floor. The clay-made oven is filled with sticks of locally cultivated shrubs, and topped by iron pots and pans.

To read the rest of this article please click here

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LATE DEALS

Check out the fantastic late deals on the following departures:

ME4R Cairo to Amman Express
14 Days - Departs: 31 Oct 10, 21 Nov 10
Countries Visited: Egypt - Jordan - Syria

ME6 Kingdoms and Crusades
28 Days - Departs: 24 Oct 10
Countries Visited: Syria - Jordan - Egypt

ME6R Middle East Revealed
28 Days - Departs: 07 Nov 10
Countries Visited: Egypt - Jordan - Syria

ME4 The Road to Damascus
14 Days - Departs: 24 Oct 10
Countries Visited: Syria - Jordan - Egypt

SA22 Coastal Express
14 Days - Departs: 30 Dec 10
Countries Visited: Bolivia - Chile

SA5 Essence of The Andes
35 Days - Departs: 09 Dec 10
Countries Visited: Peru - Bolivia - Chile

SA3 Inca Heights
21 Days - Departs: 09 Dec 10
Countries Visited: Peru - Bolivia

SA29N Patagonia High Road with 4 Day Navimag Cruise
51 Days - Departs: 09 Jan 11
Countries Visited: Chile - Argentina - Uruguay - Brazil

SA030 Patagonian Horizons
21 Days - Departs: 13 Dec 10
Countries Visited: Argentina - Chile

SA25N Pure Patagonia with 4 day Navimag Cruise
30 Days - Departs: 09 Jan 11
Countries Visited: Chile - Argentina

AF10 Livingstone's Africa
28 Days - Departs: 14 Nov 10
Countries Visited: Kenya - Tanzania - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe

For more great special offers and late deals click here >

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Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe

Anatole - French poet, journalist, and novelist.

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Contact Us:

email: adventuretours@kumuka.com website: www.kumuka.com