Four new worldwide destinations - Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Rajasthan and Quebec/Ontario - offering guided holidays combining sightseeing with walking have been introduced into HF Holidays' preview walking programme for 2014.

Enjoy a wealth of experiences and wildlife on the island of Madagascar - in addition to taking in its charismatic and lovable lemurs and the towering baobab trees, this new holiday offers an insight into local life and an introduction to the vibrant Malagasy culture as well as walking amid four of the island's most impressive national parks.

Highlights include an opportunity to talk to locals in Antisrabe where overnight accommodation is at Guesthouse Residence Madalief which was opened by the charity, Residence Madalief, to help fund its vital work in supporting local orphans.  Guests have the chance to chat and play with some of the children and to find out more about the project.

There's a visit to the Institute for Conservation of Tropical Environments to learn about community initiatives in Ranomafana National Park - with the option to join in replanting endemic trees before enjoying walks to discover the park's wildlife with ICTE's Eco-guides.

The holiday also includes a walk through the rice fields and villages of the Betsileo people - complete with a taste of typical Malagasy cuisine as lunch is taken with the families of one of the villages - as well as enjoying walks in the national parks of Isalo, Andringitra and Andasibe taking in many types of lemur, forested canyons, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, tropical rainforests and magnificent mountain scenery.

Available with selected departures in 2014, the cost of this 16-day holiday is £2459 per person, land-only or £3159 inclusive of return Heathrow flights and transfers.  These twin-share prices also include 14 nights' full board accommodation - with two in twin-bedded tents - the full holiday programme with an HF Holidays' leader and a specialist local leader, plus internal flight, national park entrance fees and travel by train, minibus or coach.

0845 470 7558, www.hfholidays.co.uk  

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For further information contact HF Holidays' PR Manager Vladi Harris on 020 8732 1236.  Release issued by Shirley Robins at Beacon PR 01572 748 800

Editor's notes:

• Celebrating its centenary in 2013 (founded in 1913), HF Holidays is a co-operative society arranging walking, outdoor and leisure activity holidays for 50,000 people each year (for non-members, a £5 associate fee is payable per holiday).
• Options range from guided walking breaks in Britain to challenging ascents Worldwide.  The leisure activities range includes art, music, literature and mind-and-body holidays.
• HF Holidays is the recommended walking holiday partner of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity (ramblers.org.uk), and supports the work of the Ramblers through membership initiatives and charitable donations.
• HF Holidays has 19 Houses in the UK's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as independent hotels for overseas holidays. 
• HF Holidays' walks leaders are passionate about walking and keen to share their experience with guests (after passing a rigorous selection course).
•  HF Holidays is committed to Responsible Tourism, contributing to environmental projects around the UK - such as footpath maintenance - through its Pathways Fund and supporting local Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue teams as well as charities in Kenya and South Africa.
• Voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010, 2011 and 2012, with a 2012 satisfaction score of 98 per cent.  Also Best Large Short Break Operator 2011 and 2012.
• In recent research (March 2012) carried out by Which?, HF Holidays achieved Recommended Provider Status receiving an overall customer satisfaction score of 94%.
• HF Holidays is a member of ABTOT and is ATOL protected.