5 years ago, Grasshopper Adventures started taking Australians and others to Laos and Cambodia on bicycles. Today they finally reached the limits of the Asian continent and brought the show back to Australia.
The massive disruption and change brought about by the current halt to International tourism was the impetus for the company to finally make the jump and release a range of tours in Tasmania, Queensland and other, soon to be announced destinations.
Grasshopper Adventures has been synonymous with biking and Asia for years, but the Australian tours come in a different flavor. These tours all feature a mix of activities that include peaceful biking, beautiful hikes and days spent kayaking on stunning, iconic waterways.
“To really experience the natural environment in a meaningful way, we had to go beyond biking,” explains Grasshopper owner & chief, Adam Platt-Hepworth who grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. “We also regard it as crucial to avoid lots of vehicle time and packing/unpacking. The tours are designed so that you spend maximum time outdoors, in nature and with like-minded people.”
Asked to list a few highlights of the tours, Adam says that there are too many to list, but the first five that come to mind are:
- Riding through the rustic landscape of the Brisbane Valley and hanging out in a tiny country pub for an evening
- Hiking the trails of the Bunya Mountains and learning about the major aboriginal corroborees that took place there, centered around the sacred tree by the same name
- Kayaking the Noosa Everglades
- Biking the subtly beautiful northeast Tasmanian countryside then hiking the coast at Freycinet
- Kayaking the dramatic coast of the Tasman Peninsula in the sheltered waters of Fortescue Bay
Designed with a view to maximising community involvement, the tours feature visits to wineries, artisan’s studios and local farms with accommodations that include small-scale, family owned properties. “We learned this from our work in Asia,” says Adam. “You need to ensure that the conduct of tours benefits and works in harmony with local communities in order to earn the legitimacy and authenticity that travelers expect”.
Grasshopper Adventures runs tours in the United States, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, China and Uzbekistan. Tours range from 5 to 14 day long escapes.
To learn more contact your local travel agent or visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/north-america-and-australia-multi-active-tours/
SOURCE: Grasshopper Adventures
