• Episode Thirteen: Kashmir & The Himalayas - History, Houseboats and Highlights
    Sep 19 2024

    In the final episode of our India trilogy, we're journeying to Kashmir and through the Indian Himalayas.


    Wild Frontiers founder Jonny Bealby explores Kashmir's history, wars, complexities, and his relationship in this region. Wild Frontiers started running tours to Kashmir in 2004 and has been successfully taking travel to explore this region ever since.


    Jonny is joined by Altaf Chapri, a hotelier in Srinagar and a friend of Wild Frontiers, and they discuss security in the valley and why it is advised against visiting (despite tourists being safe for many years). He runs Qayaam Gah and the Sukoon Houseboat in Srinagar and speaks about his love of Kashmir and the serenity and spiritual experience of staying on houseboats.


    They also discuss Wild Fronters' High Road to Kashmir group tour itinerary and its unmissable highlights, including Ladakh, Leh and Srinagar. Wild Frontiers India specialist Shalmali Rao Paterson speaks about Leh's unique culture and landscapes, Spiti Valley, Kumar, Darjeeling and the state of Sikkim's appeal, and walking and staying in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas.


    https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/destination/india/HLK/kashmir-the-himalayas


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    46 mins
  • Episode Twelve: India - Battle of the Regions
    Sep 19 2024

    Prepare for an epic Battle of the Region with the Wild Frontiers travel experts! With help from three of our India specialists, Jess Mannion, Sejal Gopujkar, and Shalmali Rao Paterson, and Wild Frontiers Product & Operations Director Marc Leaderman, the team will fight the corner of each region’s unique offerings for travellers and capture the essence of India on their favourite routes.


    Jess – Rajasthan's iconic sights, rural homestays and tiger watching in Ranthambore National Park


    Sejal –The beauty of Kerala: Waterways, tea plantations, Kathakali traditional dance and festivals, and the wonders of the South


    Shalmali – Off-the-beaten-track south – Chambal River Safari, Gwalior, Bhopal, Satpura National Park, and Aliyah Fort in Maheshwar


    Marc - From Gwalior to the east, Orchha, Khajuraho’s erotic carvings, Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, Bandhavgarh National Park, Varanasi


    Jonny - Varansai to Kolkata, key sites, botanical gardens & flower markets. Check out Jonny's walking tour through Kolkata here: https://www.wildfrontiers.tv/walking-tour-of-kolkata/


    Check out part 3 for Kashmir & The Himalayas!


    India tours this way: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/destination/india


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    58 mins
  • Episode Eleven: India for the First-Timer
    Sep 17 2024

    Vast, varied, visually stunning, and endlessly fascinating, India offers a playful juxtaposition of serenity and colourful chaos, of beautiful ancient history and buzzing modern cities. With so much to see and do, how do you decide where to go for your first time?


    Join Wild Frontiers founder Jonny Bealby as he explores what you should know when you're planning your very first trip to the country. Accompanied by Marc Leaderman (Product & Operations Director) and Sarah Coombes (Head of Operations), they'll tackle all the tips and expert insight about what to prepare for and the pivotal places for first-time explorers. From what it's like to travel as a woman and cultural sensitivities to book recommendations and practicalities, this is your handy guide to everything you need to know before you embark on your first adventure to India!


    As Indophiles will know, you'll never run out of things to fall in love with while discovering this captivating country. Follow the World by Wild Frontiers podcast to stay updated for part 2, where our travel experts take part in a 'Battle of the Regions', and part 3, which focuses on Kashmir & the Himalayas.


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    46 mins
  • Episode Ten: Peru Travel Guide
    Sep 11 2024

    Peru is the country that truly has it all. Encompassing the wondrous peaks of the Andes, the deep blue of Lake Titicaca, the arid plains that lead to the Pacific Ocean, and ancient Inca ruins that will enthrall visitors, prepare to be enchanted by a destination bursting with variety, life, and colour.


    In this episode, long-time friend of Wild Frontiers, Kate Humble, dives into the plethora that Peru has to offer (not including her own unique experience while filming a documentary about alpaca farmers!)


    Kate speaks to special guest Hilary Bradt (co-founder of Bradt Guides) about why she chose to feature Peru in their very first guidebook, written in 1974, plus many more fascinating travel tales that demonstrate her love of the country.


    Also joining Kate is Latin America expert at Wild Frontiers, Richard Leonardi, who offers a wealth of knowledge, including how to experience Peru 'off-the-beaten-track', sustainable travel, culinary delights, and travel logistics, to get the most out of your trip to this awe-inspiring country.


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    42 mins
  • Episode Nine: Pakistan Travel Guide
    Aug 6 2024

    Everything you want to know about travelling to Pakistan! Get ready to be transported to one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries that is incredibly close to our hearts. Often lauded as one of adventure travel's best-kept secrets, Pakistan is also where Wild Frontiers was born over 25 years ago. Listen to our founder, Jonny, talk about his adventures in Pakistan, and visit to the valleys of the Kalash – the last of the pagan tribes to inhabit the Hindu Kush – where he was so taken with these warm and welcoming people that he stayed for three months and ended up setting up Wild Frontiers on their advice.

    Jonny speaks to Marc, our Director of Product and Operations, to discuss security in Pakistan and how we use our contacts and experience to ensure the safety of all of our visitors. As part of our 'Just Back From' series, Jonny interviews some of our travellers he joined in Pakistan last month at their stop in Hunza to find out why they wanted to visit Pakistan and their thoughts on their trip so far. He also speaks to Natasha, our Operations Manager who handles our tours to Pakistan and recently returned from a trip there, to discuss the practicalities of travelling to this culturally rich and diverse destination.


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    34 mins
  • Episode Eight: Travelling to Challenging Destinations
    Jul 10 2024
    To travel or not to travel? From issues of safety to ethical considerations, there are many things to consider when travelling. Join Kate Humble, Wild Frontiers Founder Jonny Bealby, and Director of Product and Operations Marc Leaderman as they explore the essential questions any thoughtful traveller considers, such as 'Can I go there?' 'Should I go there?' 'Is it safe?' and 'Is it ethical?' Destinations covered range from the Congo to Saudi and Iran, as they unpick the complexities of travelling to the countries that raise an eyebrow and sometimes even prompt words of caution from friends and family. Tune in for some inspiring travel tales and a peek into how Wild Frontiers shaped their philosophy on the difficult topic of when to travel to a destination.

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    36 mins
  • Episode Seven: The Silk Road: A Guide to Uzbekistan with Sophie Ibbotson
    Jun 18 2024
    The third, and final part of this Silk Road trilogy puts arguably the most popular of the 'Stans in the spotlight: Uzbekistan. Jonny is joined by Sophie Ibbotson, a writer and consultant specialising in Central Asia, Uzbekistan's Ambassador for Tourism, and Chairperson of the Royal Society of Asian Affairs. She has written six guidebooks for Bradt Travel Guides and is also a regular contributor to publications such as Wanderlust, Lonely Planet, City AM, and the Daily Telegraph.

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    41 mins
  • Episode Six: The Silk Road: Which 'Stan is for you?
    Jun 18 2024
    So you want to visit Central Asia... but you have no idea where to go first? Or perhaps you've visited one of the 'Stans and want to find out more about the neighbouring countries? Jonny and Marc continue their Silk Road odyssey, exploring the differing appeal of each 'Stan, including the culture, must-see sights and practical tips on how to visit. Will you be one 'Stan all the way, or does your next adventure cover a few different countries?

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    39 mins