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quite compares to a long train ride. For any genuine traveller, travelling across the breadth of China, Mongolia and Russia on board the Trans Siberian or Mongolian railways is a must. For sheer distance, intrigue and, on completion, the tremendous sense of real personal satisfaction, no other train journey comes anywhere near it.
Welcome to our 2008 brochure. Being a specialist travel company brings many rewards; rewards for the team at Sundowners who are able to work with the very special destinations that we offer, and rewards for the many thousands of clients who choose to travel with us each year to some of Asias most exciting destinations. As a specialist we are able to provide you with a unique level of service and knowledge of our destinations, and each year our travel specialists create many unique and personalised travel experiences. At Sundowners we believe your journey starts from your initial enquiry and continues through to the successful completion of your journey and as a specialist we are able to provide a level of knowledge and service that is second to none. Our new Premium tours have been a great success and we have introduced additional departure dates for 2008 and a new 14 day Premium Express tour (see page 33). These Premium Tours offer all the highlights of the Trans Mongolian rail journey with a very high level of comfort, these are the most comprehensive and inclusive Trans Mongolian Railway journeys available. Our private rail carriage offers twin-share cabins and a shower compartment for the exclusive use of Sundowners clients, excellent hotels, fully inclusive sightseeing program and special cultural performances. This really is the very best in Trans Siberian Railway touring (full details on pages 32-37). Over the past 40 years Asia has changed, and the unique overland journeys we offer across Asia have changed, but our values and the commitment we have to our travellers from their first contact to the final farewell has not. Sundowners started as an Asia Overland specialist almost 45 years ago and our focus is to continue to be the best Asia Overland company. We are passionate about our journeys, destinations and the services we offer our travellers and we capture this spirit in our mission; To share Asia Overland. Differently.
Contributors
Writer and photographer Simon Richmond is no stranger to Russian trains. As a prelude to his first Trans-Siberian trip in 1997 (arranged, incidentally, by Sundowners), in 1994 he travelled by train from St.Petersburg to China via Central Asia. In 2001 he co-authored the first edition of Lonely Planet's Trans-Siberian Railway, hopping on and off the train right across Russia. The following year he was back, discovering the BAM Railway for the Russia & Belarus guide. For the second edition of TransSiberian Railway he travelled sections of the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian routes. Read more about Simons adventures aboard the Trans Siberian Railway on page 51. Glenn A. Baker is an Australian-based writer/broadcaster specialising in travel and music/the arts. The author of 15 books, he was judged Australian Travel Writer of the Year in 1995 and 2000. A Life Member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers and a visitor to more than a hundred countries, he is also a recipient of a PATA and China Travel writing awards, and has contributed to more than 200 prestigious publications. In the words of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating: "He can vividly conjure up images and feelings of periods which remind us of episodes in our own lives - like a kind of cultural photographer." On a recent assignment Glenn, and photographer Bob King, travelled to Mongolia to witness the 800th Naadam Festival. His story (page 27) is a captivating insight not only on the event which for centuries helped shape Mongolias very identity but on the wild and diverse country that travellers find today. Bob King's career as an entertainment photographer got underway in 1964 when he captured images of the Beatles at Sydney Stadium. Since then he has shot almost every major rock/pop act and major theatrical production and toured with the likes of AC/DC, Mick Jagger and INXS. An active and admired travel photographer for more than twenty years, he has worked alongside Glenn A. Baker in such locations as Vietnam (which he first photographed as conscript in 1968), Argentina, Egypt, Cuba, Japan, Fiji, Ireland, Brunei, Dubai, Burma, China, Oman, Indonesia and Turkey. His graphic images of Mongolia are seen throughout this brochure. Adventurer and lifelong conservationist, Tony Jones pioneered modern overland travel when he embarked on an overland journey from London to India in 1963. Returning by way of Nepal, China, South East Asia and the Trans Siberian Railway, Tony founded Encounter Overland and enabled a generation of travellers to experience Asia, Africa and South America at an intimate level and with a very low impact on local communities and the environment. This fundamental understanding of, and commitment to, the delicate balance that ensures travel positively impacts local communities is a value held firmly by Tony for more than 40 years - long before the term ecotourism was coined. Today, based in Kathmandu, Tony maintains his commitment to these values through Himalayan Encounters, a local business Tony Jones Bengal circa 1963 committed to sustainable tourism programs and conservation initiatives in Nepal. Enjoy Tonys observations of travel along the Silk Road to Central Asia on page 38. From teenage British Gymnastics (Tumbling) Champion to occasional nanny, Jane Sweeney made the leap into travel photography after the photographs of her first overland trip caught the eye of the company she travelled with. A discount on an African safari in lieu of more photos soon followed and 12 years on Jane has travelled to more than 100 countries and had her photographs published in many books, newspapers, magazines, calendars and countless travel brochures throughout the world. She lists some of her favourite places as Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Laos, Libya and North Korea. Recently Jane travelled with Sundowners aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway across China, Mongolia and Russia and has contributed many of the photos for this new 2008 edition.
Simon Maddison
the moves and counter-moves of 'the Great Game'. Everywhere you go you'll be met with keen interest, because the people of Central Asia spontaneously welcome visitors from other lands and have a special affinity with travellers. It could be no other way, for theirs is the timeless heritage of the fabled Silk Road.
Managing Director
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