April 14, 2004 - You can find radically different forms of transportation throughout Asia. On the cutting edge, look to South Korea, which just became the fifth nation to make use of its own bullet train (it was invented in Japan in 1964; France, Germany and Spain followed in its tracks). On a more traditional mark, you can journey through more rugged parts of the continent on camels and horses - a throwback to the days before the internal combustion engine ruled.
If you sign up with Nomadic Expeditions, you can take a land-only 13-day/12-night "Yak to Kayak" package through Mongolia starting from $2,700 (depending on the number of clients). You start in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, then head for Lake Hovsgol, for kayaking and horse trekking. Later, turn south towards the Gobi Desert, where you hike through the Yol River Valley, and experience travel on camelback in this part of Inner Asia where the first nest of dinosaur eggs in the world was discovered. Due to environmental restrictions, there is a maximum of 15 guests allowed for viewing golden eagles, goitered gazelles, snow leopards and more wildlife. The two available departure dates are June 16 and July 14, 2004. Check them out at www.nomadicexpeditions.com or by phoning 800/998-6634 or 609/860-9008.
For a comprehensive package and at a highly regarded Hong Kong hotel, consider Pleasant Holidays' "Harbour Plaza Hong Kong" package, lasting for five nights and costing from $1,220 per person. This base-price includes your lodgings, roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle or New York on United Airlines, daily breakfast, an island tour with tram & sampan rides, a welcome drink and a free mango pudding dessert, discounts on hotel restaurant purchases and massage services, discounts on Whampoa Garden Shopping Center purchases, free roundtrip hotel/airport transfers, and more. The hotel is located on the Kowloon waterfront, with great views of Victoria Harbour. Some taxes and restrictions may apply. Contact Pleasant Holidays at www.pleasantholidays.com or by phoning 800/448-3333.
Japan is the focus for a second year by Ritz Tours, an old hand at Asian travel for more than 20 years. It's eight-day "Japan Experience," starting from $1,799 per person, based on double occupancy, is good for travel throughout 2004. The price includes roundtrip airfare across the Pacific on American Airlines our of either Los Angeles or San Francisco, lodging in five-star hotels in Tokyo (three nights), Hakone (one night) and Kyoto (two nights); sightseeing; meals and entertainment per the itinerary (a dinner show in Kyoto is one example), travel on the bullet train and more. Add-on fares start at $100 more from JFK, and from $150 for other gateways. Contact Ritz at 800/900-2446 or 626/289-7777 or visit them at www.ritztours.com.
