New eco tour operator Asia360 explores cultural travel in the Far East

Eco tour company Natural Habitat Adventures has announced the expansion of its operation with a tour company devoted to Asian travel, Asia360. Natural Habitat Adventures purchased pioneering Asia tour provider Snow Lion Expeditions and is re-launching the company under the Asia360 name “to reflect its focus on all of Asia and our commitment to all-encompassing, deeply rewarding travel experiences,” said Natural Habitat Adventures founder and director Ben Bressler.

From sharing a cup of airag – fermented mare’s milk – with a Mongolian nomad family to riding in a rickshaw through an Indian market to listening to chanting monks in a remote monastery in Bhutan, Natural Habitat Adventures’ new Asia360 travel division will provide authentic cultural journeys and inspiring treks throughout the world’s largest and most diverse continent. Staffed by Asia specialists with decades of field and operations experience and under the guiding vision of Asia360 president Anna Griswold, the company will immerse travelers in unique local features and insider secrets of its Asian destinations.

“(This change) reflect(s) its focus on all of Asia and our commitment to all-encompassing, deeply rewarding travel experiences,” says Natural Habitat Adventures founder and director Ben Bressler. “We’re excited to add Asia360 to our family of travel companies–and by the opportunity to offer our guests this fresh perspective on Asian adventure.”

The new division’s tours include a summer journey through one of the last unspoiled destinations on earth with “Naadam Festival in Genghis Khan’s Mongolia,” and a fall survey of the forts and castles of India’s Raj and Mughal dynasties, “Rajashtan and the Pushkar Camel Fair.” With year-round, small-group departures and private custom adventures, Asia360 focuses on providing the full spectrum of the Asia travel experience.

Sample tours to get you started

• Ancient Kingdoms of the Himalayas: A 20-day odyssey through three historic kingdoms — Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. This sampler of highlights is a spiritual and architectural tour de force. 2009 departures: May 7 – 26, September 24 – October 13.
• Naadam Festival in Genghis Khan’s Mongolia: A 16-day journey through one of the last unspoiled destinations on earth. See the Gobi Desert, magnificent Lake Khovsgol, and Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s age-old national games. 2009 departure: June 29 – July 14.
• Rajasthan and the Pushkar Camel Fair: A 16-day survey of the majestic forts and castles of India’s Raj and Mughal dynasties, with the festive sights and sounds of Pushkar’s famous camel fair. 2009 departure: October 20 – November 4.

The company says its new Asia360 travel division will provide “authentic cultural journeys and inspiring treks throughout the world’s largest and most diverse continent”, with tours staffed by Asia specialists and offering travelers year-round, small-group departures and private, custom adventures.

For more information visit Asia360 at www.asia360travel.com.