For 2025, Wilderness Travel has launched three new itineraries developed in partnership with longtime guide, cultural explorer and adventure travel industry legend, Roger Williams. With almost 40 years of experience as a guide with Wilderness Travel, a student of culture, a researcher and a storyteller, Williams’s trips are expeditionary deep dives into the most remote corners of the world.
These new options include:
Eastern Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh
On this 20-day cultural odyssey beginning and ending in Kolkata, travelers can explore Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India and the less-traveled reaches of eastern Bhutan with veteran Trip Leader Roger Williams. Beginning in India, head into lush hill country of Arunachal Pradesh, then cross Sella Pass to reach Tawang Monastery. Here, meet the local Monpa people and learn about their ancient Buddhist culture. The next leg of the journey brings guests to the Himalayan nation of Bhutan, entering from its remote eastern side. In Bhutan, explore traditional villages and fortress-like monasteries, including the 17th-century Trashigang Dzong, and witness masked dance festivals. This culturally focused itinerary is not expected to be physically strenuous; however, the long travel days, time spent at moderate to high altitudes and transportation conditions may be quite demanding.
Central Asia Explorer
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, also known as the four ’Stans, reveal a rich historical and ethnic canvas, filled with scenery and architectural wonders. From the blue-domed Silk Road oasis of Samarkand to Issyk-Kul, a vast alpine lake surrounded by the forested peaks of the Tien Shan, this journey with Roger Williams brings guests through the heart of the Silk Road. Travelers will explore these four countries, roaming ancient bazaars, meeting local families and traditional artisans and exploring eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bukhara, a 2,000-year-old city wrapped in medieval mosques, and Khiva, a walled town isolated in a vast desert. This trip is not expected to be physically strenuous; however, guests should be prepared to embrace rustic accommodations, long travel days and transportation conditions that may be quite demanding.
Southwest China: Treasures of Sichuan and Guangxi
An 18-day journey, this itinerary delves into lost civilizations, Buddhist holy mountains, karst landscapes and culinary traditions as guests explore Sichuan and Guangxi, two of China’s culturally rich provinces. This journey with Roger Williams begins in Chengdu, the first city to have its cuisine honored by UNESCO. Travelers will visit the giant panda reserve and watch a performance of Sichuan opera. Moving eastward, they will visit the pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base, explore the sacred peaks of Mt. Qingcheng and Mt. Emei, and see Dazu’s UNESCO-listed cliffside cave temples and massive Buddha sculptures. The grand finale of this trip is Guilin, with its landscape of limestone towers rising from rice paddies. This trip is not expected to be physically strenuous, but some travel days will be long and transportation conditions can be demanding.
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