Epic overland journeys to remote parts of the world are in Steppes Travel's DNA but they are increasingly conscious of the many travellers out there who do not have the luxury of time that travelling overland requires.  Steppes Travel's brand new portfolio of flying safaris gives clients the opportunity to take “the path less travelled” in a more timely, comfortable and convenient fashion. There is no better way to make remote and wild places more accessible than flying to the very heart of the destination and maximising time spent on exploring.

Justin Wateridge, Managing Director of Steppes Travel comments, 'For me, one of the joys of travel is breaking down barriers, and an increased understanding of the diversity of our planet.  Remote is somewhere that is increasingly difficult to find. But that's why clients come to us: to find the spaces in between.'

India:  In the Land of the Tigers

5th April and 8th April 2015

Getting to India's national parks has always taken time and patience, and usually means losing a few day's holiday to travelling by road. Not anymore. Steppes has chartered a Cessna Grand Caravan to allow a group of up to 8 wildlife lovers to fly to Bandhavgarh and Khana, giving maximum time on safari and minimal time in transit.  For the ultimate experience, Steppes can arrange a full day's permit in the parks allowing for unrestricted access to tiger hot spots when the park's other vehicles have all returned to their lodges.

10 days from £4,645 per person including international flights.

Botswana:  Okavango Delta by Helicopter

10th March, 9th April, 19th May 2015

This exceptional trip goes to the heart of the action with a sensational perspective of the Okavango Delta from a private helicopter. From the air, the sheer scale of the floodplains is magnificent and areas inaccessible by land are fully exposed. With the option of taking the side doors off the helicopter, this trip is perfect for photographers and for lovers of wildlife and wild places wanting an exhilarating experience.   The trip also includes exploring the Delta by glass-bottomed mokoro to catch a glimpse into the depths of the waterways… 

9 days from £3,995 per person including international flights

Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda:  Ultimate East Africa

14 days and the best of East Africa all in one trip:   Helicopter into the massive Masai Mara and spend days searching for big cats and game before heading south to the Serengeti for yet more spectacular wildlife.  The trip concludes in Rwanda and a trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas.

14 days from £8,445 per person including international flights.  Gorilla permits at an additional cost of £500.

Cambodia: Temples by Helicopter

Travelling through Cambodia can be summed up in four words - fascinating, long, insightful and bumpy so a trip including parts by helicopter allows access to these captivating places without some of the more demanding drives.

Without having to wrestle with the bustling crowds, take a private helicopter over the magical Angkor Wat at sunset for a bird's eye view of its intricate design and vast complexity, fly over the temples of Banteay Chhmar and Koh Ker and skim the peaks of the Cardamom mountains before reaching the sparkling coast.  Back down on the ground there is an opportunity to roll up sleeves and help a local NGO with essential education and invaluable health projects in the less visited countryside. 

9 days from £10,395 per person including accommodation, helicopter trips to Angkor, Banteay Chhmar and Penh to Song Saa. Based on four travelling together with private sightseeing and meals

Papua New Guinea: Into the Depths

A helicopter can help penetrate the deepest jungle and make exploration of previously untamed regions a thrilling reality. Fly into Goroka and catch a glimpse of life in the rugged Highland mountains shrouded by the mystical traditions and cultures of the Melpa people with their colourful tribal dances and spectacular headdress.  Continue into the depths of the Sepik River by private charter flight in search of dazzling birds of paradise. Visit villages bursting with tribal art where men paddle narrow dugout canoes and the women go out fishing for supper.

Following this glimpse into authentic tribal life, there is the opportunity to explore dozens of ocean dive sites in the pristine blue waters of the Solomon Sea and the calm waters of the tropical fjords.

16 days from £8,495per person (based on 4 people travelling) including accommodation, chartered helicopter and flights, private guide, all activities and full board throughout including international travel.

Pantanal by Plane

The Pantanal is one of nature's last frontiers and the largest freshwater wetland area in the world.  This is a haven for wildlife with hundreds of bird species, mammals and reptiles including Giant Otter, monkey, ocelot, jaguar, the maned wolf and millions of caiman. 

Access the most remote parts of the Southern Pantanal by plane and stay in small family run farms away from the crowds and in the heart of the wetland. Explore one of the world's most bio-diverse landscapes with experienced and highly knowledgeable guides, travelling on foot, by boat and on horseback.  There is also the opportunity to spend time with local gauchos helping round up cattle and to spend days on horseback to become part of the everyday Pantanal.

9 days from £4,995 including international flights, all internal flights, accommodation and activities.

Jarrod Kyte, Head of Product Development at Steppes Travel comments, 'We are constantly seeking and developing new intrepid ways to discover hidden corners of the world and we are very excited to launch this portfolio which will give our clients greater - and quicker - accessibility to some of the world's more remote areas'

Other flying safaris in Steppes Travel's portfolio include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kimberley & Top End in Australia and British Colombia.  For more details please do have a look here.

For further press information please contact:

Frangelica Flook frangelica.flook@cedartreepr.com

Henrietta Quicke henrietta.quicke@cedartreepr.com

T:  020 7978 4534, M:  07747 606 898

Note to Editors:

Steppes Travel:  Specialist tour operator Steppes Travel designs innovative tailor-made itineraries for 'off the beaten track' trips. With 25 years of experience in the industry, Steppes Travel fields a team of creative, knowledgeable and responsible experts committed to providing ethical, pioneering journeys all over the world.

It provides exceptional wildlife holidays focusing on conservation with sustainable and responsible travel at the forefront of their mind.By joining forces with local research projects on an Indian tiger safari or whilst gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, or supporting carefully chosen wildlife charities in the Galapagos Islands, Steppes is able to give privileged insight into the natural world while supporting conservation and local communities worldwide.

Steppes also specialises in cultural tours and historical and archaeological small group holidays, priding itself on offering a diverse range of small group tours led by renowned experts, and their pioneering reputation.