Audley Travel

Pyramids rise above sun-baked sands. The Sphinx stares, unblinking, into a relentlessly blue sky. Boats wend their way down the waters of the Nile. Traders hawk their wares in the dusty bazaars. In many ways, Egypt seems timeless, unchanging. However, modern politics are very present in this ancient land and our specialists continue to visit Egypt to gauge the atmosphere and levels of service available throughout the country.

A country by name, but a continent in scale, India in one word is diversity. To guide you where to go when faced with such rich variety, our India specialists use the experience of their own travels to create your tailor-made holiday to India. The north is banded by the snow-crowned peaks of the Himalaya. Moving south, you pass through Rajasthan, a microcosm of India with its forts, palaces and temples, as well as the Taj Mahal. Central India shelters leopards, elephants and the Bengal tiger. In India’s northeast corner, Calcutta still exudes its colonial heritage in a landscape of Bengali mansions and neo-Gothic architecture. West-coast Mumbai is an improbable proposition — a hub of manufacturing where you can wander among Art Deco architecture or through a teeming bazaar. Down in India’s south, cruising Kerala’s backwaters on a converted rice barge is a suitably relaxed way to embrace this region’s laid-back approach to life.

Visit the ancient Buddhist relic of Borobudur. Enjoy the temple district of Prambanan. Explore the Sultan's Palace in Yogyakarta. Watch a spectacular sunrise over Mount Bromo. Learn how to cook traditional Javanese dishes and visit a local food market.

Heartland of the Incas, Peru is still littered with sites that showcase this powerful empire’s prowess as master builders, most notably Machu Picchu. Visiting this citadel hidden in the mountains is inspiration enough for a first-time visit, but the Incas were just one in a long line of peoples with a surviving legacy to explore. The landscape is equally varied: from the heights of the Andes down to the rainforest and quieter tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon. Peru feels like a country on the ascendency, reflected in the quality of hotels and a penchant for fine food. Despite being a country of classic journeys, not every trip to Peru has to follow the same paths. Our specialists have explored the main sights and the lesser known ones. They’ll carefully plan your holiday as an individual tailor-made trip to match your preferences.

Boat excursions to spot whales and dolphins in pristine lagoons. Day trip to Espíritu Santo Island to spot a number of bird species as well as observe and snorkel with the playful sea lions. Exploring the Sierra de San Francisco, a mountain range with a diverse flora, rugged canyon scenery and prehistoric rock art.

Once central to the spice trade route, Malaysia absorbed influences from Chinese, Indian and Muslim merchants to create a rich culture and culinary heritage. Our specialists have sampled the delicacies of Penang’s night market, hiked through national parks and sought out traditional ways of life along the east coast. Using this detailed knowledge of the country, we can create a tailor-made Malaysia holiday to suit your interests. The UNESCO-protected cities of George Town and Malacca are strewn with Javanese mosques, Chinese prayer halls and Edwardian Baroque architecture. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is where the old world meets a vibrant, modern society and glittering skyscrapers share space with seasoned markets. Despite Malaysia’s development, great swathes of primary rainforest remain intact, as well as pristine beaches and unsullied coral reefs. Along the coast you find traditional kampung villages, lively resorts and islands offering secluded beachside retreats.