Explore, the adventure travel specialists, have today launched 'Explore Beyond', a new collection of innovative and original trips specifically aimed to offer a truly unique travel experience.

John Telfer, Product Director at Explore commented, “We've designed these trips to get back to our roots and provide customers with pioneering new product choices and off the beaten track adventures. Some are one-off events, such as festivals and eclipse departures; others are unpolished recce trips venturing into new territories around the world.”

He continued, “Today we are launching nine new Explore Beyond trips, with the aim to roll out two per month from December 2015. Whether it's taking the overland journey from Bangkok to Yangon following the Death Valley railway, staying in bush chalets in North Luangwa or visiting the Fire Sacrifice Festival in Yunnan, China, we're positive these exciting new trips will position Explore as the pioneers of adventure travel.”

Explore's new 16 day Undiscovered Burma is an overland journey from Bangkok to Yangon following the Death Railway. Ideal for the intrepid traveller, escape the traditional tourist route and journey through the south of Burma into a region Explore has never travelled to before. Visit faded colonial towns, cruise among tropical islands and camp overnight on deserted beaches in a country that has until recently, been largely undiscovered.  This trip departs in February 2016 and costs from £3,499 per person. This price includes return flights; 15 nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, transport and the services of an Explore Leader, driver and local guides.

Explore's new wildlife adventure Wild Zambia offers an in depth look into Zambia's hugely diverse National parks and wildlife areas. Explore North Luangwa National Park, only recently opened to the public but home to buffalo, lion, and hyena, which can be spotted on game drives and walks. Search for the rare shoebill storks in the Bangweulu Swamps and visit South Luangwa, home to the Big Five. This trip departs in June 2016 and costs from £3,298 per person and includes return flights, 13 nights' accommodation, most meals, transport and the services of an Explore Leader and cook.

Explore's new 14 day trip Yunnan's Fire Sacrifice Festival travels through China's Yunnan Province, home to the Bai and Yi minority tribes.  Attend the unique Fire Sacrifice Festival where locals paint their bodies and dance to celebrate the day they discovered fire.  Time is also spent at a festival celebrating Buddhism and sampling local delicacies at a food festival. The trip departs on 26 February 2017 and costs from £2,915 per person. This price includes return flights; 13 nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of an Explore Leader and driver.

Explore's 16 day Deep South USA and Eclipse travels through six of America's southern states; Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and North and South Carolina. The solar eclipse will be viewed from just outside Nashville on 21 August 2017, when the moon and the sun will appear almost the same size. As well as the eclipse, experience a taste of the south during a cooking class in Charleston, hike to the waterfalls in the Great Smokey Mountains and visit the legendary Graceland, home to Elvis Presley. Discover the French Quarter in New Orleans and look out for alligators during a swamp tour through Cajun country. This trip departs on 14 August 2017 and costs from £3,969 per person. This price includes return flights; 15 nights' hotel accommodation, transport and the services of an Explore Leader and driver.

Explore's newKumbh Mela with David Short trip offers the chance to experience the religious festival known as the Kumbh Mela. The trip is led by David Short, an expert photographer who has previously worked for the BBC and will assist keen photographers capture the perfect shot. Witness the holy men, as they take their ritual dip in the Shipra River, explore the pink city of Jaipur and capture its most famous sites including the Amber Fort, the Palace of the Winds.  This trip departs in April 2016 and costs from £1,750 per person. This price includes return flights; eight nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of an Explore Leader and photography guide.

Explore's 16 day North American National Parks and Eclipse follows the Rocky Mountains and the beautiful National Parks in Canada and the USA. View the eclipse from Grand Teton National Park, accompanied by an expert astronomer before travelling along Icefields Parkway; a scenic drive through stunning landscapes of the mountains, lakes and glaciers. Relax in Miette hot springs with views over the surrounding Fiddle River Valley and visit Banff, Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks famous geysers, canyons and waterfalls. This trip departs on the 8 August 2017 and costs from £4,225 per person. This price includes 15 nights' accommodation, transport and the services of an Explore Leader and driver.

Explore's nine day Bateshwar Festival and Varanasi with David Short offers a great way to discover India with expert photography advice along the way from David Short, a BBC photographer. Wander through Bateshwar fair and capture the chaos and colour of the event, visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal and visit holy Varanasi in time for Diwali, the festival of light. Trip departs in October 2016 and cost from £1,899 per person. This price includes return flights; eight nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of an Explore Leader and photography guide.

Explore's six day Family Romania Winter Adventure heads into the heart of the Transylvanian Alps. Learn winter survival skills and how to track wildlife with help from an expert guide. Enjoy a sledging ride through the winter landscapes and a chance to go ice skating in the city of Bucharest. There will also be time to visit Bran Castle, better known as the setting for Bran Stoker's Dracula and spend a night in the Ice Hotel, which is only accessible by cable car. This trip departs in February 2016 and costs from £747 per person. This price includes return flights; five nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of an Explore Leader.

Explore's Family Harbin Winter Ice Festival offers an eight day, fast paced journey across China. Walk along the Great Wall, explore Tiananmen Square and enjoy lunch with a local family. Visit the impressive sight of the world famous Harbin Ice Festival at sunset, cycle around the city of Xian and try your hand at the ancient art of calligraphy. This trip departs in February 2016 and costs from £1,999 per person. This price includes return flights; seven nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis; transport and the services of an Explore Leader.

For more information, or to book visit www.explore.co.uk or call 01252 884 723.

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For more media information, interview requests or images, please contact:

Lisa Tyrrell, PR Manager Lisa.Tyrrell@explore.co.uk, 01252 379499
Olivia Lewis, PR Executive Olivia.Lewis@explore.co.uk, 01252 379506