Around the World Flights   via Asia

Explore Asia

Locations:

Sri Lanka Nepal India

  

or call:

0845 3 447 667

Product Details

"Around the world tickets" (a.k.a 'Round the World' or 'RTW' tickets) are a series of single flights built into one ticket. Valid for 12 months - this ticket literally takes you "Around the World" - making this one of the cheapest way to do a big trip to Australia.

How do they work?
Simple - choose the regions / countries you want to visit on your way to Australia and then on the way back. You can build your own ticket - for example - the most popular route is:

London - Los Angeles [USA] - Fiji - Cook Islands [Pacific Islands] - New Zealand - Australia - Singapore - travel overland to - Thailand - London

Price guide:
- Basic routes (4-6 stops) leaving off peak (April-August) cost as little as £800 (incl. taxes*)
- Many stops on many Continents leaving at peak times (Nov-Dec) could cost £2,500+ all-in
- Most people: leave Sept, Oct, Jan-March and pay £1,500-£1,800 (incl. taxes*)

* BEWARE! Watch out for 'Fr' or 'From' [e.g. Fr £566] and what look like really cheap RTW tickets. Once you include taxes and your travel dates the price will be similar to above.

Around the world via Asia

Meet elephants & Bengal tigers, visit the awesome Taj Mahal, get lost in the bustling streets of Delhi, ride a yak through the Himalayas, explore ancient Lhasa where the Dalai Lama once reigned, ride a camel through the colourful, history-packed Rajasthanraft, raft or kayak some of the best white water rivers!

---

"BUILD YOUR OWN" AROUND THE WORLD TRIP: 3 easy steps

1. Read below what gapyear.com users have to say about Asia
2. Find out what you can do and where
3. Decide whether to build this region into your RTW ticket

When you're ready to compare the routes you like, or if you're struggling and need assistance, simply call 0845 3 447 667 or enquire through our online system and we'll help you with the rest. Details at the bottom of this page.

1. THE KEY RTW STOPS IN ASIA:

In India Mumbai (which used to be called Bombay) and Delhi are the most common stops for Around the World travellers, but you might be able to arrange to stop in Kathmandu [Nepal] as well or instead. From either of these stop offs you can explore the region, which includes Sri Lanka and Tibet and for a few Burma and Pakistan. Many also chose to enter China from here.

2. POPULAR ROUTES THAT INCLUDE ASIA:

London - Mumbai [India] - Singapore - travel overland to - Bangkok [Thailand] - Hong Kong [China] - Brisbane - travel overland to - Sydney [Australia] - Auckland [New Zealand] - L.A. [USA] - London

London - Delhi - travel overland to - Mumbai [India] - Singapore - travel overland to - Bangkok [Thailand] - Hong Kong [China] - Bali [Indonesia] - Sydney - travel overland to - Melbourne [Australia] - Christchurch - travel overland to - Auckland - Fiji [Pacific Islands] - London

London - Mumbai [India] - Singapore - Bali [Indonesia] - Sydney - travel overland to - Melbourne [Australia] - Christchurch - travel overland to - Auckland [New Zealand] - Santiago [Chile] - travel overland to - Lima [Peru] - London

London - Mumbai [India] - Singapore - Cairns - travel overland to - Sydney [Australia] - Auckland [New Zealand] - Fiji [Pacific Islands] - Mexico City - travel overland to - Cancun [Mexico] - Lima [Peru] - London

3. THINGS TO SEE & DO IN ASIA:

1. Visit the Taj Mahal
2. Chill out in Goa
3. Ride a camel in Rajasthan
4. Rub shoulders with the stars in Bollywood
5. Cool down in the Himalayan foothills

1. Trek in the Himalayas and see Everest
2. Hang out in backpacker-friendly Kathmandu
3. Visit temples galore
4. Go white-water rafting
5. Spot tigers in the Royal Chitwan National Park

1. Explore ancient Lhasa where the Dalai Lama once reigned
2. Trek in the mighty Himalayas
3. Learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture

The most popular trip around this region:

Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai and down to Goa, Agra and back to Delhi, possibly followed by a bus or flight to Kathmandu.

Most people visit India and Nepal. If you want a true Asian experience then make sure you book enough time to see them properly (a minimum of a month for them both).

India is not as difficult or scary as you think and if you leave Nepal without trekking one of the trails then you have missed one of the most magical experiences in the world - no matter how unfit / non-outdoorsy you think you are - this is a "must do".

So, how to make the most of Asia? You could fly into India and explore this massive subcontinent by train. India has a legendary rail network, although the experience can be quite challenging. After this, you could fly on, or you could cross from India into Nepal by bus: there are three main border crossings. As an optional extra, you could fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet (beware of some seriously demanding visa requirements!). Get together with fellow travellers and hire a 4x4 for the breathtaking Himalayan journey from Tibet back to Nepal. Fly on from Kathmandu. A challenging route, but a really good 'un...

Why Asia?

Apart from the temples, the Himalayas, the curry, the jungle, the traditions, the dazzling saris, the amazingly cheap prices, the prayer-flags, the monkeys, the markets, the hiking, the beaches, the yaks, the palaces and the encounters with fascinating people with almost unimaginable lives? Nah, we can't think of any reason to go to Asia. However, if you fancy it, your Around the World trip could be the perfect opportunity for you to have fun, safe Asian experience in India, Nepal and Tibet.

What others say about this region...

Nicola Cutcher: "The Hindu culture is so colourful and bright, and it's fusion with Buddhism is intoxicating. The Annapurna Range was just the best trekking I have ever done. The people are genuinely the nicest I met anywhere, really smiley and welcoming..."

Olivia Fakoussa: "Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. It has everything - from bright green hills, blue mountains and waterfalls, a mass of tea plantations, palm trees, turquoise waters and sandy beaches, to the most beautiful and happiest people I've ever met..."

India

India, the world’s largest democracy and second most populated nation - has an extraordinary variety of landscapes, from Himalayan peaks to tropical islands, from fertile plains to sandy deserts. Its people are a diverse mix too, a largely peaceful blend of different languages, religions and cultures, in which an educated middle class lives alongside the very poor.

India is a richly-colourful, chaotic-yet-simple place. From the cows wandering the city streets, to the boulders hand-painted with Coke ads in the middle of rushing rivers, there’s a quirky wonder round every corner. For backpackers, India is a cheap and fascinating - if sometimes challenging - place to travel. And as for the food... mmm...

Top 5 Things to do:

1. Don’t miss the spectacular Taj Mahal
2. Meet tigers and elephants in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
3. Be sure to catch a Hindi movie, or even go to Bollywood (Mumbai)
4. Ride a camel through colourful, history-packed Rajasthan
5. Visit the Dalai Lama in beautiful, backpacker-friendly Dharamsala

Summary

India has a relatively high difficulty rating, but certainly isn't impossible for a first-time traveller. There's a fairly well-trodden backpacker trail which you can stick to if you're a bit nervous (try Delhi, Agra, Manali, Dharamsala, Rajasthan, Bombay, Goa...). It's mega-cheap, with some fabulous placements, fascinating wildlife and stunning sights to be seen.

Nepal

Indu Shakya writes...
Nepal is a country that is still living in the past and people care more about human values and needs, while modern amenities are only available to limited population. Kathmandu valley is a place full of medieval cultures and wonders, in other words a living museum. At the same time Kathmandu also offers all the modern amenities to travellers seeking luxuries.

While staying in Kathmandu might be exhausting after a while, one can always escape the crowd and dust by delving into the pristine and picturesque countryside of the Kathmandu valley. Those seeking true escape can walk into the foothills of great Himalayas for hours, days or even weeks and feel the true sense of nature.

Nepalese people have many different societies, cultures and traditions. According to religious scripts there were as many gods as people and it is apparent from so many festivals celebrated in a year. In fact Nepal is the meeting point of two great religions Hinduism and Buddhism.

To sum up, Nepal might be a completely different country from your own. Flexibility and patience will greatly help you in your travels. Every Nepalese follows the saying ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ or ‘Visitors are Gods’. So they are always willing to help if you are in difficulties.

Indu's Top 5 Things to do:

1. Climb or trek in the mighty Himalayas...
2. ...or take a scenic flight amongst the peaks.
3. Raft or kayak some of the best white water rivers in the world
4. Meet elephants & royal Bengal tigers in Royal Chitwan National Park
5. Visit the beautiful, 2,500-year-old Monkey Temple or Swayambhunath

Summary

The main pull of Nepal for most people is the mighty Himalayas (if we could have given this country more than five out of five for its mountains, we would). The trekking is excellent, the culture fascinating, there's loads to see and it's very cheap. It may not score as highly in other areas, but hey, you don't go to Nepal for the diving!

Tibet

The remote and ancient land of Tibet lies in the Himalayas to the north of India and Nepal. Often referred to as the roof of the world, Tibet is the largest and highest plateau on earth.

Tibet was invaded and annexed by China in 1949-51. The government of this traditional, Buddhist country, including the Dalai Lama, was forced into exile and now resides in India. Visitors to modern Tibet are faced with a strange blend of its traditional past and its Communist present, in which Chinese tour guides put a Communist spin on tours of Lhasa’s Potola Palace.

However, no politics can compromise Tibet’s extraordinary landscape.

Things to do

1. Explore ancient monasteries in Lhasa
2. Visit Potala Palace, the ancient quarters of the Dalai Lama
3. Experience modern Tibetan life in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet
4. Trek, cycle or ride horses or yaks through the Himalayas - look out for yetis...

Summary

The Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and way of life, as exemplified by the Dalai Lama, hold a fascination for many of us in the West. If you want to experience both the beauty and problems of modern Tibetan life, and some spectacular scenery to boot, by all means head to Tibet. However, if you want to experience traditional Tibetan attitudes in a less compromised form, you might be better off going to Dharamsala in India, the current home of His Holiness and many Tibetan refugees.

ASIA: SUMMARY

Asia scores top marks for affordability: getting there can be expensive, but once you're there, you can happily get by on between five and 10 quid a day. It also scores highly for mountains (the Himalayas? 'nuff said) and icons (it's packed with beautiful and impressive things to see). It's not the easiest continent to explore (expect things to be late, ramshackle, crowded, confusing and not always clean) but for an Asia fan like me, this adds to the excitement and charm!

STA Travel

STA Travel is the World's largest youth and independent travel agency. With over 65 branches in the UK and over 450 around the World, you can visit them if you have problems overseas. The Gapyear.com team at STA Travel are on standby to help you plan your dream trip.

  

or call:

0845 3 447 667