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Why Steppes?
Let us show you the riches
of travelling beyond the ordinary
What kind of traveller are you?
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Tailor-made travel
Beyond the ordinary
Is what we aspire to be.
No two people are the same, each is unique. So we understand that no two holidays should be alike
either. We listen to what you want and create a personalised itinerary tailored around you,
finessing every detail before, during and after your holiday. Your holiday. Your experience. Your way.
We sell luxury villas, beach holidays and family holidays but our forte remains the creation of tailor-made cultural and adventure journeys to the
more exotic regions of the world. Our objective will always be to show you the highlights of a country, but we also like to take you off the beaten track to see
the lesser known, but equally interesting places, not frequented by large numbers of tourists.
Get in touch to see why and where we can take you. We hope that you can join our clients, who return to us year after year.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
Wildlife Group Tours
Get up close to wildlife
Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is an inspiring and uplifting experience. It is a privilege. By joining forces
with conservation agencies, researchers and local conservation projects – whether on an Indian tiger
safari or a Galapagos Islands cruise – we are not only able to support conservation and local communities
worldwide but also deliver exceptional wildlife holidays.
Our wildlife group tours have been receiving plaudits now for more than 15 years, from both our clients and conservation partners alike. Our Orangutan Conservation
Tour in Indonesian Borneo and Tiger Safari in India are testament to this.
We are continually looking for new, exciting and innovative wildlife holidays and we are delighted to announce our Papua New Guinea luxury cruise with Chris
Packham, Galapagos cruise with Richard Dawkins and our Antarctic cruise with Ranulph Fiennes, Monty Halls and Sue Flood, amongst others.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
Expert-led Group Tours
Leading the pack in group travel
We are recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialists in cultural, historical and archaeological small group holidays.
Expert tour leaders
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence. Often they can facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Benefit from our small group sizes
Our average group size is typically 8-10 people, allowing you to have a more personalised and relaxed experience, a factor which many of our clients appreciate.
Refer friends and get rewardedThe biggest compliment you can pay us is to recommend us. Refer a new client to the same
group tour and we will give both you and them a £100 discount when they book.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
Let us show you an experience beyond the ordinary
Travel with a guide rather than a guidebook.
PRIVATE GUIDES
The role of a private guide varies from destination to destination and depending on your preference, schedule and budget - you may wish to have a guide accompany you for a day or you may choose to have a guide accompany you throughout your itinerary.
Why do we recommend that you travel with a private guide? The most obvious reason is for their expert knowledge. A guide is not there to regurgitate facts and figures but will pitch their delivery according to your interest/s. Moreover they are there for you to ask questions, to learn and discover more than you would through any guidebook.
They will give you a local’s insight and an introduction into their country which will be both personal and memorable. There’s no denying that travelling with your own private guide is the best way to fully appreciate the richness of a country’s history, culture, cuisine, flora and fauna.
Added to this, here are some further advantages of having a private guide:
BEAT THE QUEUES
Guides have priority and can get you access ahead of the crowds.
SAVE YOU TIME
Guides know how to use your precious travel time most efficiently—no need for backtracking or waiting needlessly in traffic when a better itinerary would have spared you.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Your guide will show you the best angles and locations for photography. Also importantly, they will help you when taking photos of people – they will let you know what is and what is not culturally appropriate.
BEHIND THE SCENES
They are connected both locally and with Steppes so that we can offer you privileged access whether it be The Hermitage Museum
in St Petersburg or the Galapagos Darwin Research Centre for Conservation.
LOCAL INSIGHT
They have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening day by day so can keep updated of local events, festivals or simply the best time to see something.
EATING OUT
Your guide will know the best places to eat out and not necessarily the restaurants or cafés listed in guidebooks. Tell them what you like and they’ll take you there.
LANGUAGE
Your guide can be both a translator if you want to know what someone is saying and also a teacher for helping you interact and try your hand at a few words in the local dialect, which always brings a smile and a richer experience.
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
There are guides and then there are Steppes guides – they make the difference
in our holiday experience as we often travel where others never tread.
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Service
You can depend on us to deliver to high standards. We go that extra mile. With 25 years of experience and knowledge we have built up many long-standing relationships with our partners around the world, ensuring they deliver the very best service to you.
No wonder then that over 70% of our business is repeat and referral.
1
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
Right from the first contact it was clear Chris understood the kind of trip we wanted and his expert advice ensured we were able to plan and experience the perfect trip. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chris and
the rest of the Steppes team.
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”- Bertie
You will not only be able to contact our partners throughout your stay abroad but also our office on a dedicated number that is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We go that extra mile to give you added security and peace of mind.
Trust2
We use our experience to create yours.
Our Experts travel to the destinations in which they specialise up to three times a year, increasing their knowledge and always experiencing what’s new.
Expertise
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Booking through a tour operator may not be as expensive as you think.
We negotiate the best rates with hotels and expert guides, ensuring you always get the best
value for money. Often we have access to exclusive offers which are only available to our clients. Booking through us also ensures you are protected from fluctuations in exchange rates.
Pricing
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By booking through us you have the security of a financially protected holiday as offered by our ATOL licence (6945).
Protected
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Being responsible in our travels and operations both locally and globally is ingrained in all that we do at Steppes.
Each time you travel with us, we donate £5 to a local charity in the UK and £10 to an international charity.
Each time we travel, we offset our carbon emissions with the World Land Trust. If you can, we urge you to do the same.
Ethical
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We love out of the ordinary and relish the opportunity to create a truly beyond the ordinary experience for you, your friends and family.
Surprising
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And, of course, the following all come as standard when booking with us at Steppes...
MEET HAMISH MACKIE
Hamish is one of the UK’s top wildlife sculptors. Through his work he has had the privilege of observing wildlife in many corners of the world.
One such project required him to travel to India. See the difference between Hamish planning and booking with Steppes as opposed to going it alone.
• A fourteen day research holiday in India • Return flights in business class• Accommodation at three different lodges • Behind the scenes access to the national parks
• Private guides throughout • Access to conservation charities on the ground • All in-country transfers
HOLIDAY BRIEF
PLANNING
Not recorded: Time spent day dreaming
HOW EASY WAS IT TO GET IMPARTIAL ADVICE?
DIY: “It was difficult to get a balanced view across the various forums that I had searched.”
Hamish with Steppes: “Joe at Steppes Travel took the time to really understand what we wanted to experience and was honest about what would work well for our trip and what perhaps wouldn’t be right for us. He took the time to get to know us which made the service feel all the more personalised.”
DIY WITH STEPPES
HOURS SPENT PLANNING
WEBSITES VISITED
CALLS MADE
CALLS RECEIVED
EMAILS WRITTEN
POINTS OF CONTACT
27 1
19 1
10 1
0 6
18 5
11 1
Benefits of Booking with Steppes Travel VS. Going it Alone
BOOKING
RESULTS
ON THE GROUND
“Steppes offered value for money in ways that booking independently would not allow for. They streamlined what would have been an exhausting
and arduous task. In short booking a holiday is the one exception whereI wouldn’t endorse doing it DIY. For a beyond the ordinary experience we
wouldn’t travel with any other company.” - Hamish Mackie
If you still want to go it alone, we’re still happy to send some destination information to help you on your way. We’d also love
to hear how it went, what you liked, what you didn’t like – maybe we could help you with your next trip?
!
!
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
CONFIRMATION EMAILS RECEIVED
PAYMENTS REQUIRED
HIDDEN EXTRA COSTS
PRINTOUTS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELLING
TRAVEL APP WITH ALL TRAVEL INFORMATION PRE-LOADED
DIY WITH STEPPES
27 1
19 1
10
6 0
NO YES
DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR DURATION OF TRIP
24/7 EMERGENCY HELPLINE
PROTECTED BY UK TRAVEL REGULATIONS
EXPOSURE TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
DIY WITH STEPPES
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
0
NO
Steppes in numbers
Charles Knights James Armitage
Paul Bird
Bridget Cohen Jackie Pearson
Katie Benden
Chris Johnston Joe Parkes
Paul Craven
Claire Birch
John Faithful Roxy Dukes
Illona Cross
Kate Hitchen Sally Walters Sue Grimwood
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
STEPPES HQ IN THE HEART OF THE COTSWOLDS BUT A WORLDWIDE REACH
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6DOGS IN THE OFFICE
COUNTRIES TRAVELLED TO IN THE LAST YEAR
56YEARS SPENT IN TRAVEL281
– THAT’S JUST OUR 16 TRAVEL EXPERTS
DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE
WE SEND OUR CLIENTS TO OVER
100– IT’S EASIER TO SAY WHERE WE
DON’T SELL
Our Travel Experts
Meet the team
LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR TEAM
15
TRAVEL EXPERTS
16OF OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE TO BOOK WITH US AGAIN
70%
Steppes Blog
Read about our travel experiences on our blog…
OMAN: THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION
TO THE MIDDLE EAST
A SHORT WALK WITH A LADAKHI PRINCESS
KENYA: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
SPACE TRAVEL: A PUNA EXPERIENCE
SKIN DEEP IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
ETHIOPIA: ATTENBOROUGH
IN MY EAR
HOW DO YOU BEAT A FAMILY HOLIDAY TO
SOUTH AFRICA?
MOUNT RORAIMA: THE LOST WORLD
STEPPES BLOG // steppestravel.co.uk/blog
Client Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it
Sue’s in-depth knowledge of the region and the vessel was invaluable in our preparation for the trip and was a strong differentiator when we were
choosing a travel agent. Talking with Sue, we quickly got an
honest perspective.- Fiona | Antarctica
“We had a very well organised trip given the short notice. You made the trip unforgettable, since we
had nothing to worry about except enjoying the stays. We have been spoiled in every location and the
choices of them where outstanding. Thank you!
- Mikhail | Botswana
“
Bridget could not have been more helpful in organising all aspects of our trip,
she was very knowledgeable about the country and was able to select a fantastic
trip which worked well for the whole family. She always responded promptly to our many enquiries so that when we left
we felt reassured all would go well.- Karen | Zimbabwe
“ Even though we had done a large amount of research for the trip we found the expertise of Steppes invaluable in comparing accommodation types and obtaining a good balance between value and experience. We
were also pleased that the recommendations given were in line with the budget we had
provided and there was no attempt to push us over the line financially.
- Joanne | Argentina
“
Excellent in every way. Particularly liked the document holder and mini itinerary which we received before
leaving, it was invaluable throughout our trip! Promptness of communication was
excellent as was the vast knowledge and expertise of our travel experts.
- James | Brazil
“
John put together my trip perfectly as I hadn’t a clue about what to see in the time I had!
- Jillian | Baja California
“We were both impressed with your knowledge and with your speedy replies to all questions.
- Judith | Antarctica
“
The world awaits…
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected] START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
The health benefits of travel are almost immediate. After only a day or two, 89% of people experience significant drops in stress.
Russia produces the most oxygen in the world.
India is the most diverse country in the world. In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse country in the world, or the runner-up.
The Republic of Congo has its very own Loch Ness Monster, known as the “Mokèlé-mbèmbé”, which is said to inhabit the Congo River.
The DRC is home to three of the four gorilla subspecies – the most in Africa.
Sudan is home to more pyramids than Egypt, but they are smaller and more angular in their design.
The wildebeest migration in East Africa is so vast that it is equivalent to the populations of Newcastle and Liverpool trading places on a yearly basis.
Canada has the most educated population in the world, with 50% of the population being educated at post-secondary level.
Papua New Guinea has the largest number of languages spoken.
Mongolia is the least densely populated place in the world. There are four people per square mile.
Canada has the most lakes in the world, more than 3 million in fact.
Couples who travel together have reported increased feelings of intimacy. Time for a second honeymoon?
All the money that is tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain is collected each night and donated to multiple charities.
Mexico City is sinking at an average rate of 10cm a year, 10 times faster than Venice.
Mt Everest, Nepal – the highest point on Earth – is continuing to grow at an estimated 4mm a year.
How to secure a partner for the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Gentlemen, fix the lady with a long look; if she returns your stare, just give a gentle nod. Ladies, sit with your legs outstretched so a man might stumble at your feet. An encounter will occur and an invitation can follow.
Although it spans five different time zones all of China operates on Beijing time.
The world’s deepest underwater mailbox lies 10m deep below the surface of Susami Bay, Japan.
Taumatawhakatangi¬hangakoauauotamatea¬turipukakapikimaunga¬horonukupokaiwhen¬uakitanatahu is a hill in Taumata, New Zealand and the longest place name on Earth.
IT’S A WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OUT THERE.
Are you ready to travel beyond the ordinary?
Our aim is to leave you speechless and then turn you into a storyteller.
Speak to one of our Travel Experts and let them charm you with their own love of travel.
For Steppes is a company run by travellers, for travellers.
Get in touch with us today
START YOUR JOURNEY 03300 297 838 // [email protected]
tel 03300 297 838
email [email protected]
online steppestravel.co.uk
S T E P P E S T R A V E L . C O . U K
S H A R E Y O U R J O U R N E Y W I T H U S# M Y S T E P P E S
