Last Minute Tours

HIGHLIGHTS: Cape Town - Stellenbosch - Cedarberg Wilderness Area - Orange River - Fish River Canyon - Sossusvlei Sand Dunes - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Swakopmund

Start your holiday in Cape Town, one of the world's greatest cities. Travel north through the wine growing areas to the drier Karoo. Perhaps try a gentle canoe trip on the Orange River before marvelling at the vastness of the Fish River Canyon. Next are the worlds oldest sand dunes, use your time to climb Dune 45 for a once in a lifetime sunrise. Continue through the Namib Desert to Swakopmund before finishing your tour in Windhoek, Namibias modern capital.

Days 1-3 For those who wish to see some of the city of Cape Town we advise that you arrive a few days early as our trip leaves the city on the day of departure. There is a lot to do in the city and the regions. Capetown, Stellenbosch and Orange River. Departing Capetown at 10.00am the first day of the trip we take a short drive to Stellenbosch in the wine-growing region of South Africa. We have a chance here to sample some of the local wines at some of the wineries. From Stellenbosch we head north to the northern border region via the serene Cederberg mountain region. On the border with Namibia is the Orange River where we have the option of doing a four-hour canoe safari from our oasis-like campsite.

Days 4-6: Fish River Canyon, Nauklift National Park, Sesriem, Swakopmund. Our next stop is Fish River Canyon, which is arguably the world's second largest canyon. There is a spectacular viewpoint over the canyon and the sunset never fails to impress. From the canyon we head up to the Naukluft National Park. This park has one main feature, which is sand, large mountains of sand. These dunes are the highest in the world reputed to be as high as 300 metres. The ones we will see have been measured by altimeter on our previous trips and are about 200 metres high, which is still very large. The day here begins before sunrise as the best times to photograph the dunes is when the sun is low on the horizon and the shadows define the contours clearly. The other reason for the early start is that it is too hot to walk up the dunes once the sun fully rises and the hot sand burns people's feet. There is also the chance to go on a brilliant and informative early morning walk amongst the Sossusvlei/Dead Vlei sand dunes getting up close and personal with the expertly adapted resident flora and wildlife. We then drive to Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia.

Days 7-9: Swakopmund, Windhoek. The town of Swakopmund is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is a German colonial town in the middle of a desert. It has some wonderful old German buildings of which one of the most beautiful is the prison (it is still used as a prison). The town itself is generally cool as a mist created by the cold air off the Atlantic mixing with the hot air of the desert, covers it. This is why the Germans chose this area to build the town. We stay in dormitory or room accommodation and thus we generally dine out for most meals. There are many optional activities to choose from including quad biking, horse riding, sand boarding, scenic flights and skydiving. On the morning of day 9, you will be transferred by Town Hopper to Windhoek where the tour ends on arrival at Chameleon Backpackers. We expect to arrive into Windhoek by lunchtime, but we do not recommend booking flights that leave before 6pm. Please advise Kumuka at time of booking if you wish to remain in Swakopmund and not use the transfer back to Windhoek.

WAS $991*, NOW $872*, SAVE $119*

HIGHLIGHTS: Bangkok - Koh Samui - Khao Sok National Park - Ao Nang - Koh Mak- Beach Camp - Phuket.

This adventure covers the best of Thailand's famous tropical south - from visiting popular beaches to camping on a secluded island. Starting in Bangkok, we travel south to Koh Samui, famous for its coconut palms, and the Krabi area, where we stay by a peaceful beach at Krabi. We spend a night beach camping, on a secluded island in beautiful Phang Nga Bay, before finishing our journey on Thailand's largest island, Phuket.

HIGHLIGHTS: Belgium (in transit) - Netherlands - Germany - Austria - Italy - Switzerland - France

Seven countries in ten days... sounds like a tour for people who know what they want and don't have time to wait around for it. This is a great introduction to Europe for first timers, giving you a taste for more. Wear clogs in Amsterdam, visit a beer hall in Munich and cruise the canals of Venice on a gondola, you won't want to miss a moment This tour is also one of the best for scenery lovers with drives over the famous Brenner Pass and past Lake Como.

Day 1 London to Amsterdam Meet up with your Contiki team before we hit the road and take a ferry past the White Cliffs of Dover. Next stop: the buzzing, free-wheeling city of Amsterdam. Check out Amsterdam's eye-opening Red Light District, where the creative and wacky come together on narrow cobbled streets, 24/7. With an optional evening canal cruise, you've got a chance to get to know the group, unwind with a few drinks and uncover Amsterdam at water level. Get some pointers on the city's hot spots from your Tour Manager and head into town for a fun night out.

Day 2 Amsterdam to Rhine Valley Experience Amsterdam's coffee shops, museums and cool, quirky boutiques. In your free time, wander along shady canals and pass gabled houses or hop on two wheels like the laid-back locals and bike through the centre of town. Chill out while the coach follows the Rhine River, weaving through valleys dotted with castles and vineyards. Next stop - the pretty, old-world village of St. Goar, complete with fairy tale castle and even a free-hanging cuckoo clock Kick back with a glass of local wine and choose to find out more with the optional wine tasting in a candlelit underground cellar.

Day 3 Rhine Valley to Munich Travelling south, pull into the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich - a city that blends traditional Bavarian culture with a modern lifestyle. Explore the heart of Munich's Old Town with the crew, and head to Marienplatz. It's a central gathering spot famous for the Glockenspiel - a Gothic clock, complete with 32 dancing figures and 43 chiming bells. Then head off with some friends for a taste of tradition to a typical beer hall and park yourselves at a long wooden table. In this optional excursion, you'll feast on hearty local food, like roasted pork knuckle, and quench your thirst with a stein of one of Germany's 5000 brews.

Day 4 Munich to Austrian Tyrol Roll on through the Tyrol's massive mountains to a cute Austrian village in a region famous for adventure sports. Plunge into some white-water rafting in an adrenalin-pumping optional activity on the river. With a night in Contiki's very own Austrian Gasthof (guest inn), there's time to do your own thing - laze about or get out for a walk in the surrounding hills. Our resident crew will give you pointers on the best stuff to do in the region and make sure you get everything out of your time here. We always put on different theme parties for our groups at the Gasthof bar - so get dressed up for a fun night in. Your Tour Manager will tell you all about it.

Day 5 Austrian Tyrol to Venice Wind through the Central Austrian Alps via the Brenner Pass to Italy, the land of passion Known as the "floating city", Venice is packed with character, crammed with hidden lanes and linked by a network of canals. The group travels on our private boat through the waters through the waters of the lagoon to visit the city's historical heart. The limestone Bridge of Sighs, the Gothic arches of Doge's Palace and the expanse of St Mark's Square (pigeons and all) show Venice's unique beauty and way of life. Take some time to explore the floating city and lose yourself in the backstreets. There's an optional walking tour where you can discover the labyrinth of interweaving lanes, waterways, palaces, piazzi and markets with our Local Guide. You'll see historic monuments, hidden treasures and the Rialto market - a local favourite for food shopping. Maybe grab a table on St Mark's Square and eat some delicious Italian food al fresco. Cap off the day with an optional gondola ride and share this amazing experience with your friends - seeing Venice from on the water is unforgettable

Day 6 Venice to Swiss Alps Next stop: the jaw-droppingly beautiful alpine town of Lucerne. With covered wooden bridges, cobbled lanes and quaint buildings, Lucerne's centre is perfect to explore on foot. Also to stock up on lots of genuine Swiss chocolate Your Tour Manager can give you pointers on where to pick up the best-priced watches Switzerland is so famous for. Tonight, we head to the alpine heights of Lauterbrunnen and stay at Contiki's very own Swiss Chalet.

Day 7 Swiss Alps It's a change of pace amongst Switzerland's massive Alps. Take in the amazing views from your chalet window. Opt to visit Jungfrau Mountain, head up the sheer slopes of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site on a cog rail to Europe's highest railway station, and step out onto the "roof" of Europe for spine-tingling views. Back at the chalet, make the most of the genuine underground 'Bomb Shelter' and party it up with friends at the bar there.

Day 8 Swiss Alps to Paris With down-time on the coach, plug in your MP3, chill out to some music and chat with friends while travelling through the scenic wine producing region of Burgundy. Tonight, the group kick starts Paris with the "Tour of Illuminations", which shows off the French capital's transformation into the 'City of Lights'. Lamp-lit bridges and cool little cafes give us a real taste of Paris' romance. Your Tour Manager will fill you in on the world's most recognised monuments, like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. If you're adventurous, get right into French culture when you arrive at a Parisian cafe with the opportunity to try out France's national delicacy - escargot You'll also get to toast the end of your tour with French Champagne.

Day 9 Paris Next up: Fragonard This perfumery has an elegant interior and is a unique setting for a look into the history of perfume. It's also a chance to pick up some French perfume at great prices. This town is loaded with possibilities. Discover its many bistros, museums, tree-lined avenues and diverse quartiers (neighbourhoods). Get a feel for French flair by window shopping on the Left Bank. Step into the Notre Dame or explore the endless galleries of the Louvre, where you can get up close to the famous Mona Lisa. In your free time, try indulging in some delicious pastries and relax in one of Paris' many city parks. Tonight is the last night with your friends, so make it special. Treat yourself to the full Parisian night out, starting with an optional dinner in an atmospheric restaurant. Then sign up for an authentic cabaret experience, complete with can-can girls and Champagne. But don't stop there - afterwards hit the clubs and finish up your travels with a big Parisian night out.

Day 10 Depart Paris This morning after breakfast we transfer you to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (estimated arrival 10:00am) where your tour ends. Or choose to take a complimentary transfer to central London and extend your stay.

HIGHLIGHTS: Cape Town - Stellenbosch - Cedarberg Wilderness Area - Orange River - Fish River Canyon - Sossusvlei Sand Dunes - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Swakopmund

Start your holiday in Cape Town, one of the world's greatest cities. Travel north through the wine growing areas to the drier Karoo. Perhaps try a gentle canoe trip on the Orange River before marvelling at the vastness of the Fish River Canyon. Next are the worlds oldest sand dunes, use your time to climb Dune 45 for a once in a lifetime sunrise. Continue through the Namib Desert to Swakopmund before finishing your tour in Windhoek, Namibias modern capital.

Days 1-3 For those who wish to see some of the city of Cape Town we advise that you arrive a few days early as our trip leaves the city on the day of departure. There is a lot to do in the city and the regions. Capetown, Stellenbosch and Orange River. Departing Capetown at 10.00am the first day of the trip we take a short drive to Stellenbosch in the wine-growing region of South Africa. We have a chance here to sample some of the local wines at some of the wineries. From Stellenbosch we head north to the northern border region via the serene Cederberg mountain region. On the border with Namibia is the Orange River where we have the option of doing a four-hour canoe safari from our oasis-like campsite.

Days 4-6: Fish River Canyon, Nauklift National Park, Sesriem, Swakopmund. Our next stop is Fish River Canyon, which is arguably the world's second largest canyon. There is a spectacular viewpoint over the canyon and the sunset never fails to impress. From the canyon we head up to the Naukluft National Park. This park has one main feature, which is sand, large mountains of sand. These dunes are the highest in the world reputed to be as high as 300 metres. The ones we will see have been measured by altimeter on our previous trips and are about 200 metres high, which is still very large. The day here begins before sunrise as the best times to photograph the dunes is when the sun is low on the horizon and the shadows define the contours clearly. The other reason for the early start is that it is too hot to walk up the dunes once the sun fully rises and the hot sand burns people's feet. There is also the chance to go on a brilliant and informative early morning walk amongst the Sossusvlei/Dead Vlei sand dunes getting up close and personal with the expertly adapted resident flora and wildlife. We then drive to Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia.

Days 7-9: Swakopmund, Windhoek. The town of Swakopmund is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is a German colonial town in the middle of a desert. It has some wonderful old German buildings of which one of the most beautiful is the prison (it is still used as a prison). The town itself is generally cool as a mist created by the cold air off the Atlantic mixing with the hot air of the desert, covers it. This is why the Germans chose this area to build the town. We stay in dormitory or room accommodation and thus we generally dine out for most meals. There are many optional activities to choose from including quad biking, horse riding, sand boarding, scenic flights and skydiving. On the morning of day 9, you will be transferred by Town Hopper to Windhoek where the tour ends on arrival at Chameleon Backpackers. We expect to arrive into Windhoek by lunchtime, but we do not recommend booking flights that leave before 6pm. Please advise Kumuka at time of booking if you wish to remain in Swakopmund and not use the transfer back to Windhoek.

WAS $991*, NOW $872*, SAVE $119*

HIGHLIGHTS: Bangkok - Koh Samui - Khao Sok National Park - Ao Nang - Koh Mak- Beach Camp - Phuket.

This adventure covers the best of Thailand's famous tropical south - from visiting popular beaches to camping on a secluded island. Starting in Bangkok, we travel south to Koh Samui, famous for its coconut palms, and the Krabi area, where we stay by a peaceful beach at Krabi. We spend a night beach camping, on a secluded island in beautiful Phang Nga Bay, before finishing our journey on Thailand's largest island, Phuket.