The Essence of Asia Way
OUR PLACES…
Asia is one of the most amazing settings for travel experiences on the planet. Experiences like seeing, from the deck of your private luxury boat, the shapes of thousand-year-old limestone outcrops emerge like ghost ships in the mist of Halong Bay. Or perched atop a camel, arriving at your luxurious tented accommodation for the night amongst the rolling dunes of the Thar Desert. These uniquely Asian experiences are what we are all about. When we devise our itineraries we don’t just throw cities and sites together; we weave creative experiences into intricate tapestries that ensure you’ll get the most out of our destinations. We want you to discover the wonder, beauty, history and cuisine of China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and India just as we have.
OUR EXPERIENCE…
We’ve been operating in Asia since 1993, and as the area has developed we’ve been able to start offering travelers a truly deluxe experience with Essence of Asia. Asia is all we do. Why? Because we know and love this region more than any other; we’ve built a strong operational base here and we’ve developed ties with the people. We’ve been based in Asia from the beginning to keep abreast of all the changes taking place in the dynamic countries we travel. We have four offices across our six destinations – more than any small group travel company. The level of on-the-ground service we provide to our clients is unrivalled.
OUR PEOPLE…
Our team, whether based in Asia or abroad, expatriate or local, has one thing in common; everyone is passionate about our destinations and our style of travel. Our locally-based experts are constantly seeking out special once-in-a-lifetime experiences to make our holidays truly unforgettable. Our Western tour leaders and English-speaking local guides possess an incredible wealth of knowledge that spans everything from centuries of history to the best places to eat and drink. And their service ethic is second to none.
OUR PHILOSOPHY…
At Essence of Asia we are dedicated to responsible tourism. That entails choosing hotels that are ecologically mindful, transportation that is modern and fuel-efficient, paper for correspondence that is recycled, and so much more. We are committed to supporting local businesses and employing local people, and we support a number of local charities (including the Fred Hollows Foundation and their work to cure cataract blindness in Asia, the Loreto Foundation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and their work to assist disadvantaged, poor and disabled children through education, and the sponsorship of a young Khmer girl to attend nursing school in Siem Reap, just to name a few).
OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICY…
Essence of Asia practices a thorough, realistic Responsible Travel Policy. We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Asia’s beautiful natural environments. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. It drives all that we strive to deliver to our travelers and shapes the contact we have with our supplier colleagues in Asia. We recognize that poorly-planned itineraries or poorly-informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding, and less to the livelihoods of local people. We also recognize that we work in a developing part of the world. Political and social factors sometimes impede the short-term implementation of our Responsible Travel initiatives, so we do not make blanket, unrealistic statements about the achievability of our goals – doing so would make us ‘irresponsible’. We aspire to short- or medium-term implementation of our policies where realistic, and to incremental change where there are constraints of a governmental or cultural nature.
How We Travel
We recognize that when you come to Asia you want more than just a holiday. Our travelers want to relax and enjoy, but also want to get a real feel for the country (or countries) they visit. When you visit with us you will be more than a traveler passing through; you’ll be introduced to the local culture, local people and local cuisine. We also realize that each traveler is different. That’s why we offer our signature Small Group Journeys, Tailormade Touring and a selection of our favorite Hotels & Resorts.
SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS…
Ranging from short visits in one country to three-week explorations of several destinations, our Small Group Journeys will appeal to those who want a total experience in the places they visit. On a Small Group Journey you will travel with a maximum of 15 guests and be escorted by one of our expert Western tour leaders (minimum seven travelers) as well as English-speaking local guides – a combination which gives you the highest level of service possible. You’ll go home with a true sense of the country (or countries) you have visited and, quite possibly, a brand new set of friends.
TAILORMADE TOURING…
Do you have something special in mind? Feel like experiencing a different side of Asia, and doing so on your own terms? Check out some of the Tailormade Touring options we’ve designed for past travelers; these are your building blocks to create the perfect holiday for you. Do you want to spend six days in Thailand’s beautiful Khao Yai National Park spotting wildlife and enjoying spa treatments, then spend the next six days discovering Delhi and the Taj Mahal? We can help you do it. Or turn a stopover in Ho Chi Minh City into a five day city stay so you can get to know Saigon, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta? We’ll make it happen. With a bit of imagination and a lot of experience we can fashion the holiday of a lifetime for you. Contact us for more.
HOTELS & RESORTS…
Asia is home to some of the world’s best accommodation; the palaces of former Maharajas in India, restored colonial villas, atmospheric tented camps, exclusive spas…have a look at some of the places that we most like to rest our heads. Our deluxe accommodation becomes a real part of your experience with Asia, and you are sure to be impressed.