Overseas Tours

Below are listed details of some overseas tours that Nomads members have found to be particularly enjoyable in the past, with contacts of agencies who might be able to help you organise something similar in future.

Antarctica Expedition

In the southern hemisphere summer of 2018/19, five Nomads joined a 19-day expedition to Antarctica on board RCGS Resolute. On 8 October 2021, they gave an online presentation based on this Planning an Antarctica Trip slideshow. You can view the presentation (Passcode: #GV7+Jez), or download the audio from that presentation (108 MB, 1hr 54min) to listen to in conjunction with the slideshow. Note that the company that was used is no longer trading.

Caledonian Canal Cruising (Scotland)

Four Nomads cruised and walked from Loch Linnhe to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands in July 2019, travelling along the 97 km of the Caledonian Canal that was built in 1888 by the Scottish Engineer, Thomas Telford, connecting up three lochs (including Loch Ness). Their tour was organised through Caledonian Discovery Tours; check out their FAQs.

Camino Walking (Spain+)

Over the years, a number of Nomads have walked various parts of "The Camino" in Spain. When people talk about "The Camino", they are usually referring to the 780 km Camino Francés (French Way), which goes from St Jean Pied de Port on the French border in the Pyrenees to Santiago (de Compostela) in Spain. While this is a great experience, it's not for everybody (too touristy for some, too hard for others). In fact there are hundreds of caminos criss-crossing Europe and the Middle East. The final destination of the caminos is always Santiago though. So there is quite a variety of caminos to choose from, of varying levels of difficulty. Check out this slideshow on The Camino, or the Planning for walking the Camino notes on which the slideshow is based. If you're wanting a supported tour, check out CrossRoads.net, a travel agency run by Jennifer Lyons, who is based in both Sydney and Spain. The second most popular of the caminos, and one of the easiest, is the Camino Portuguese - see Camino Portugues - General Notes. Julie Dawn Fox, a British ex-pat living in Portugal, runs a travel business specialising in Camino Portuguese tours. Even if you don't use her support services, her website and newsletter service is really helpful. There are also four excellent, well supported camino routes in France.

Inca Trail - Cusco to Machu Picchu (Peru)

Experience Inca ruins, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety. The trail goes over high passes with unforgettable views, through cloud forest, and finally into subtropical vegetation. The organisation Peru Treks & Adventure can be highly recommended. While there, be sure to visit (and trek) other regions in this incredibly diverse, friendly and exotic country.

New Zealand - Hiking or Biking

• MILTON ROTARY TRAMPING CLUB
  Popular, quality independent walking trips are offered, where you carry all your own equipment, clothing, sleeping bag and food (they supply the food and cooking equipment but everyone helps carry it) and assist with the domestic chores. The club takes care of much of the logistics and club volunteers provide assistance but aren't guides. Book quickly when the program is announced!

• LAKE WAIKAREMOANA TRACK
  The Lake Waikaremoana track has the largest area of native forest in the North Island, mostly following the shores of the great lake. Over three to four days, it leads you through pristine rainforest, regenerating shrubland areas of wetland, rush and herbfield and a magical ‘goblin forest’. Nomads member, Nitin C., can provide further insight - email info@thenomadsinc.org.au to get in touch with Nitin.

• MT COOK TO OAMARU CYCLING
  A group of eight of the regular Friday cyclists rode the Alps to Ocean Trail, from Mt Cook to Oamaru, in October 2016. Starting from Mt Cook Village, there were overnights in Braemar Station, Twizel, Lake Ohau, Omarama, Otematata, Kurow, Duntroon, with the ride finishing in Oamaru. The tour was organised through and fully supported by Cycle Journeys, who we very strongly recommend for their sturdy, reliable bikes and helpful, friendly service. 

Saigon to Hanoi Cycling (Vietnam)

A group of Nomads cycled from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi (with considerable assistance by bus and train) in April 2018. The trip was organised through a local Vietnamese tour company, Vietnam Adventure Cycling, who are very strongly recommended. They specialise in cycling tours of Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Northern Thailand and Myanmar. For some ideas, see the itinerary for the 2018 cycling tour.

If you have queries about any of the above, or recommendations for other great tours or trails around the world, especially if you can also recommend tour operators, please email info@thenomadsinc.org.au.