Client Testimonials
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"I had the most AMAZING time on my trip to Myanmar. What a country - history, heritage, architecture, religion - most of which was a total revelation to me. My Remote Lands guide was excellent in every sense. She was truly sensitive and instructive on local customs and their meanings and applications - for example, how to buy and tie a longyi, how to accept a chant from a monk, and how to read an astrological chart. She even brought me snacks from her mother when we were focusing on local food. Additionally, our specialist expert's passion for Yangon architecture shone through and he really helped me see the city through his eyes during our tour. The hotels were relatively simple and incomparable to luxury properties in other locations, but the staff was polite and helpful. Finally, I was so thankful that all the transportation was handled so well. From the custom officials to the baggage and ticket handling, I never had to worry about a thing, and that made me very relaxed. I have already recommended Remote Lands to friends interested in traveling in this area."
- Solo Traveler from Hong Kong
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"We are happy to report in the most positive way about our grand adventure to China which exceeded our expectations. Remote Lands understood our interests and preferred travel style and came up with a well organized and diverse itinerary. We are dedicated foodies with adventurous palates and in two weeks we ate our way through Shanghai, Xian, Guilin and Hangzhou, the gamut from street vendors, home cooked meals shared with local families to gourmet experiences in top restaurants. We enjoyed the time spent with our local guides and appreciated their insider knowledge and eagerness to please. We will definitely return to Asia with Remote Lands."
- A couple from New York
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"My wife and I had a really great trip to Vietnam. Special praise has to go to our guide who was perfect: agreeable personality and extremely eager to please. He made sure all of our arrangements were flawlessly executed. We enjoyed all of the hotels you recommended and felt we were very well looked after. Certainly a highlight was the time spent on the chartered junk in Halong Bay where the crew was fantastic. We also really liked Con Dao, a beautiful island off the southern coast of Vietnam and found it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature. I'm really happy we decided to visit Ben Tre and spend the day on the Mekong Delta which was quite different than our experiences in Hanoi and Saigon. All in all, a very unique experience, crafted to our specific tastes by the Remote Lands team. Thanks for making our honeymoon memorable and special."
- A New York honeymoon couple
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"We returned from a terrific trip. We were provided a great itinerary and everything came off smoothly as planned. Special praise for Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, I would recommend it highly. All the Remote Lands guides were excellent, polite and attentive to our needs. Thanks for all of your help!"
- A family from New York
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"Our trip to Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan was terrific, and the perfect choice of three countries with dramatically different experiences. We came to Remote Lands for the special experiences they could arrange for us, such as a visit to a Buddhist monastery in Yangon where we had a private lunch with the monks. And we were actually quite surprised when the 74-year-old head monk informed us that we were the first foreigners he had ever met and the first to ever enter the monastery. We also loved the dinners in Bhutan with some of their most prominent leaders, and the helicopter to Mount Everest Base Camp/Kala Patthar at over 18,000 feet, which was the single best moment of the holiday. Overall the trip was very well-organized by Remote Lands and their staff at all levels was always available to make sure that everything went smoothly. Our guides were sensitive, knowledgeable and flexible, and really went the extra mile to make sure everything was perfect."
- A young couple from Calgary
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"We had an amazing trip that exceeded our expectations. With the exception of the weather, everything was perfect. The places we visited, the accommodations you chose, the quality of the guides, the itinerary, and all the logistics were excellent. Obviously, each place was different. India was fascinating and Delhi is such a unique and interesting city, despite all the chaos. Bhutan is a like a dream and easily one of the most beautiful places we have visited. Thanks for creating what has been one of our most memorable trips. We look forward to going somewhere in Asia again with your advice in the near future."
- A couple from the Dominican Republic
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"Remote Lands provided an opportunity for my son and me to experience China in a totally unique way. We enjoyed many specially arranged experiences in and around Beijing - the wushu martial arts demonstration was a particular standout. Also unforgettable was our experience driving through Beijing in an old fashioned motorcycle side car followed by lunch with a local family in their traditional hutong house - a form of architecture we learned is fast disappearing. Remote Lands was also quite helpful in organizing several "interesting" food experiences. Our itinerary included visits to exotic food markets and restaurants serving authentic and unusual dishes. Many thanks to you and Danny, our most capable guide. We are definitely up for further exploration of Asia with your company."
- A California father and son
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"Just about everything on this trip was perfection; our journey through China, Hong Kong and Bali was filled with excellent hotels, restaurants, guides and experiences. In Bali, our guide was highly knowledgeable and went the extra mile. He shared honest opinions and advice during our activities together which were greatly appreciated. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the pandas in Chengdu. Getting a private tour and holding and feeding the pandas proved to be everything we wanted and more. We also loved the elephant mahout training in Bali, and we were the first people who were able to drive the elephants apart from their trainers. We would definitely recommend Remote Lands to anyone going to Asia. "
- Cody & Lindsey, Los Angeles & Philadelphia
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"It was an amazing trip, truly our best ever. I cannot rave enough about Remote Lands, they provided us with one great guide after another along with a remarkable itinerary. Our guides were always on time and incredibly helpful -- the airports especially were a breeze with their assistance. We also found the hotels gorgeous, each one was so different. This was truly a once in a lifetime trip, thank you so much for planning it perfectly!"
- A family from New York
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"Our family had a wonderful time in Japan and China. Although we had visited some of these destinations previously, Remote Lands and your excellent guides were able to offer us a unique perspective and uncover some hidden gems that we would have otherwise overlooked. In Tokyo, our expert guide certainly was excellent. He knew an amazing amount about the many varied cuisines of Japan and seemed to have at his fingertips all of the best and most interesting restaurants and food vendors. Our experiences in rural China, particularly in Long Shen and Yunnan were outstanding. Lulu, our guide was professional, informative and shared many insights into her culture and those of the minority people we encountered along the way. But perhaps our favorite guide was JJ in Shanghai. She was prepared to answer all of our questions and was extremely personable, accommodating and perceptive to our needs. During the trip we decided to make some revisions to the itinerary and Remote Lands was able to make these changes seamlessly. Thank you for helping to make this one of our best Asia trips to date. I look forward to working again with you soon."
- A family from Honolulu
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"Overall we had a great trip. Our family holiday to China was very well organized with all arrangements handled efficiently and professionally. Our guides throughout were extremely helpful and well informed. We especially enjoyed the opportunities we had to go off the beaten path and spend time in local restaurants and homes. The lunch you arranged in a local home in the Beijing hutongs was a real highlight, as was the exposure we had to the Uighur minority people in Xian -- next time, we will do more of that. Remote Lands also took us behind the scenes to see and handle ancient Chinese artifacts in Xian and planned a private picnic lunch right on the Great Wall of China. For those interested we would also recommend including the Jewish history expert in Shanghai, a chance to explore a lesser known chapter of that city's story. We would travel again to Asia with Remote Lands and look forward to sharing even more authentic experiences."
- A Massachusetts family
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"Our Remote Lands organized trip to India was a big success. We couldn't have been more pleased with our national guide, Mr. Singh, who was extremely knowledgeable, personable and always there to help. He made the trip a real pleasure. We enjoyed many widely divergent experiences while traveling through this fascinating country. I would have to say the visit to Varanasi was a definite highlight and unlike any other place we've ever been. Also learning to play elephant polo outside Jaipur was unforgettable and we laughed the entire time we were on top of the elephants. Your service was excellent, and as a matter of fact we felt slightly overindulged in luxury and too well looked after at some moments. Certainly the hotels you recommended were all incredible, especially the Imperial in New Delhi which had an authentic atmosphere. We only wish we had more time to spend in India and would like to return someday. "
- A couple from Australia
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"This was our fourth trip with Remote Lands, and you helped us experience Tibet with an eye towards its future and past. It is a beautiful land for its austerity, gorgeous lakes, and mountains. The people are friendly, and the guides warm and welcoming, sharing with us their expert knowledge on Tibetan Buddhism. We had memorable interactions with lamas who illuminated teachings on compassion, and we even had the opportunity to debate with one teacher on questions of significance to Buddhist mediatation practices. Thank you for making the introductions to a wonderful people and culture. "
- Kristi & Paul, Virginia
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"Thank you all so much for arranging such a memorable visit to Japan. We have come away with memories that will stay with us for life. Remote Lands' service was excellent: the guides and drivers you arranged were outstanding and we were lucky enough to experience the cherry blossoms in bloom in all of the places we visited. We had a wonderful time, and are so happy that we did not cancel our trip due to the disaster. Even though we had to change our plans at the last minute, the revised itinerary you put together was more than perfect. We have seen spectacular scenery, had the privilege of meeting really beautiful people, and immersed ourselves in the Japanese culture: we couldn't ask for more out of a vacation. It's hard to settle back into our routine after such a amazing trip."
- Couple from Melbourne Australia, clients of ETM Group.
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"Remote Lands' commitment to superior service ensured our trip to India and Sri Lanka was a great one, even in the face of force majeure. The attention we received from Bruce Lazarus in your New York office and Jay Tindall in Bangkok when winter storms affected both ends of our trip was extremely helpful. During our brief time in India, we loved the hotels you recommended and discovering Fatehpur Sikri. Sri Lanka was incredible: our wonderful guide was a highly knowledgeable companion on our touring, and the activities you helped us select, from the safari in Yala National Park to the spice garden in Dambulla, were terrific. The service and locations of both Amanwella and Amangalle were excellent. Finally, one of your best recommendations was to fly from Dambulla to Tangalle by helicopter. This was excellent value for the money and in our opinion a no-brainer for anyone traveling in Sri Lanka. This was our second trip with Remote Lands and we are already thinking of where to go next in Asia."
- Couple from St. Louis
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"Thank you so much for what I can truly say was a trip of a lifetime. It was impeccable! The flow of the trip was ideal and every guide was wonderful in his own right. The fine-tuned details and the flexibility of Remote Lands made the trip flawless. There is no doubt in any of our minds that we will choose to travel again with Remote Lands while in Asia."
For further details on their trip through Indochina, please click here. click here.
- Three couples from Mexico
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"Our adventure in Southern Laos was great overall and I would rate the trip highly. We certainly had a great time. We appreciated traveling in remote areas off the beaten track and the vast majority of your arrangements were excellent. Some of the highlights included kayaking on the Mekong River, the interlude we spent with a very pleasant coffee grower, and a riverside picnic lunch where we encountered a local family. The slice-of-life experiences made the trip worthwhile."
- Party of four from Missouri & Tokyo
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"We were very impressed with the bespoke shopping experience we received from Remote Lands. I'd give it an A+. Our shopping expert took us to great shops we would never have found on our own, and our guide presented us with a choice of different price points and kindly assisted with negotiation. In fact, our guides everywhere, from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Siem Reap and Phuket, were all excellent. Each one was informative, flexible and quick to respond to any changes. I wanted to move into our massive suite in Ananda and never leave, and we particularly enjoyed the private pool villa on Phuket. The entire trip went smoothly, and it was very helpful to be able to converse with Jay Tindall (Remote Lands COO and head of Bangkok office) regularly throughout the trip."
- Family of four from Atlanta & Colorado
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"Overall we enjoyed a wonderful trip and appreciated the fine service and attention to detail provided by Remote Lands. VIP arrivals and assistance with immigration and customs certainly adds ease and comfort to traveling. Our party preferred a French-speaking local guide and you found someone who was both knowledgeable and helpful. We would recommend her to anyone with the same needs. The hotels and accommodations you suggested were great and we particularly liked our private junk on Halong Bay and the Nam Hai in Hoi An. The new Six Senses on Con Dao island has a wonderful beachfront setting and it was a very relaxing way to end the holiday."
- Two couples from France and Switzerland
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"During our month-long trip spanning five countries, we were very pleased with the overall Remote Lands experience and appreciated the excellent and responsive customer service given by your New York and Bangkok offices. Highlights of our journey in Myanmar included the hot air balloon expedition at sunrise over hundreds of Buddhist temples in Bagan and a wonderful lunch we shared at a local family's home in Inle Lake. We also enjoyed our stay in Bhutan and will always remember the dinner you arranged with a Member of Parliament, as well as our guide's invitation to join him in a special Buddhist blessing ceremony at his family's home. Perhaps we were most impressed with our guide in Siem Reap, who shared personal memories of his family's struggle during the difficult years of the Cambodian civil war. This savvy guide knew how to show us Angkor Wat avoiding the crowds whenever possible and was very adept at setting up the best photo opportunities of those stunning monuments."
- Couple from New York and Wyoming
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"We had a fabulous time in China. This was our second trip with Remote Lands and they arranged a very special and memorable holiday for us and two friends. Our guide in Beijing was excellent, very organized and interesting, and our Great Wall specialist was amazing and truly an expert in his field. Highlights included going to an off-limits part of the Forbidden City where we were the only visitors, a traditional medicine check-up and foot massage in Hangzhou and the IM Pei-designed Suzhou Museum and silk factory in Suzhou. We also loved the hotels you suggested Raffles Beijing, Aman at Summer Palace and Amanfayun in Hangzhou. We received extraordinary service at each because of your introductions and behind-the-scenes monitoring."
- A couple from Quebec
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"This was our second trip with Remote Lands, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and have memories that will last a lifetime. Our guides and drivers were very knowledgeable and competent. In Hong Kong, our guide was terrific. He had a lot of energy, and was courteous, polite, punctual and very accommodating. On Java, our guide was excellent and we loved being the only people at Borobudur after the monument closed to the public. He also gets an A+ for his breadth of knowledge – we heard an academic talk about Borobudur one evening at Amanjiwo, and most of the things said were things we’d already learned from our guide. During our 2+ week trip to Asia, we felt secure and well-looked after throughout. We also really appreciated Jay Tindall taking the time to call us and make sure everything was going well."
- Family from Indianapolis, Indiana
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"Our guide for our 18-day trip to Japan was far and away the best we've ever had – resourceful, quick-thinking, extremely knowledgeable, with a great sense of humor – she even found us a high-quality dentist in Hiroshima when I needed some emergency work done on very short notice! We are a well-traveled, very demanding couple and were extremely pleased. The geisha performance in Kyoto that Remote Lands surprised us with tickets to was an unexpected treat in our itinerary, and the Miho Museum, where we received special access to parts normally off-limits to visitors, was another highlight of our holiday. The beautiful Iya Valley was a great change of pace and well worth the trip, and we only wish we had more time on Naoshima Island. Tokyo was the biggest surprise. We originally did not want to spend much time in the city but found it incredible, you need a good five days there. The food is just unbelievable. We are extremely demanding and we don't give 'perfect 10s' but this trip was close."
- Peter and Maria from London
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"Our family's trip to Japan was extremely well planned and well executed, on very short notice. Our guides in Kyoto and Tokyo were very impressive and opened doors for us to art experiences and restaurants that wouldn't otherwise have been possible, and our driver in Tokyo was adorable! Remote Lands made great suggestions, from excellent restaurants in Kyoto to taking the bullet train to the Izu Peninsula for hiking. The bound itinerary and destination guide provided before the trip and the thorough bon-voyage phone call were very helpful as well. Hats off to you!"
- Family from Minneapolis
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"We learned so much about Indian history, art, architecture, and customs. We are wiser now. In Jaipur, we loved watching film in a local cinema - the quality is fantastic! Bravo Bollywood. Our guide in Jodhpur was fantastic and very funny, and our dinner with the Maharaja's uncle was a very familiar and pleasant meal. Near Jodhpur there is a little village named Palasni where we were welcome like kings. We visited a school for the poorest childrent there, and donated a water cooler and a filter to them. We wrote to them, "You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For the School of Palasni." They are going to inscribe it on a plaque. This was a very moving experience."
Our private jet was a very important part of our trip. Most of the legs were less than 30 minutes, compared to six to 10 hours if we traveled by road. We had the same crew all the time, with a nice young hostess who was very pleased to fly with us. Overall, we had a fantastic trip to a new country for us. Remote Lands never fails!
- Couple from Madrid
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"Our trip to India with Remote Lands was interesting, well organized and very unique. We loved the diversity of the people and their attitudes. We were constantly fascinated by the brilliant colors, sounds and fragrances. Our guide was amazing, very polite and had endless knowledge and good connections - certainly the right person to escort your clients. The dinner and the puja in his home was a great experience, and our visit to the "golden city" of Jaisalmer and its fort was a highlight of our trip. Thank you for everything! "
- Zippy from Tel Aviv
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"We had a wonderful time on our trip to Sri Lanka. The accomodations were fabulous, our guide a real expert and a pleasure to be with, and we definitely had numerous experiences that would not have occurred had we just used one of the bigger travel companies. A unique vacation that we totally enjoyed."
- Marge & Julie, London
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"Everything about our honeymoon was planned perfectly, and we had the time of our lives. You could not have done a better job. Your connections in Asia are incredible, and we had a lot of amazing experiences. Your guides are phenomenal, and in particular your guide on Flores was so knowledgeable about the whole region, including every fish and every inch of the area. You really know what you are doing and you put a great trip together for us. We will definitely recommend you to our friends, many of whom are getting engaged now and will be getting married soon. Our family will be doing an Asia trip soon and we will absolutely use Remote Lands again."
- Manhattan couple on honeymoon in Singapore, Bali & Komodo
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"Cambodia--we knew we wanted to visit, and we contacted Remote Lands and asked, "Can you make this happen in a couple of days?" The answer was a firm yes. We took off, guided at nearly every step along the way; yet, we always felt completely independent. The suggestions of what we might like to do were tailored to our interests and preferences - this was our second trip with Remote Lands - and there was not a moment that felt disappointing in the least. From the sincerity of our guide to the comfortable eloquence of our lodging and cultural forays into Khmer history, our trip unfolded perfectly. If we were to do it again, we'd only wish for more time. Thank you, Remote Lands."
- Kristi & Paul, Tokyo, Japan
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"I have had trouble writing a short commentary about the amazing month long trip to Asia that Remote Lands recently organized for us. My head is full of words of praise. Our trip was seamless and unique. We were awed at every sight and delighted with every new experience. So many conversations with interesting people and knowledgeable guides and so many faces of people will stay with us ( and change us ) forever. The details were all very well arranged. I am a detail person and I notice and appreciate all those tiny details that Remote Lands took care of. A thousand thanks to the people of Remote Lands. You were lovely to work with and fulfilled with excellence every promise you made."
- Dan & Jeannine, Buffalo, NY
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"This was the single GREATEST travel experience of my LIFE, in which REMOTE LANDS gave me a chance to enjoy EVERYTHING, and experience NONE of the usual travel stress.
I LOOKED AND LOOKED for a fault in the trip. Damn it!! Cant find one!!! Congratulations, you have me speechless!
The guides were superb. Made me feel as if I were in the inner workings of each territory. The food I will remember, and mourn over, for the rest of my life. Memories that I will tell my grandchildren....I'm 32! A personal, expertly researched, stunningly delivered, hassle free, adventure, made JUST for me. My only regret is that the trip ENDED."
Watch Dominic talk about his trip on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, broadcast on April 29, 2009
- Dominic, Los Angeles
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"One of the things that makes you, Remote Lands, different is that you introduce us to very interesting people: noted artists, princes, brahmins, royalty, important business leaders, special hotel managers, and of course simple local people. It is impossible to meet these people on your own so this allows us, thanks to you, to get a deeper understanding of the country. Well done and good job!!! This time we have felt, again, like "VVVVVVVIP's". So everything has been outstanding and nearly perfect (perfection is for God only), and if there was anything wrong, we have already forgotten it! We must say again that one of the advantages in this kind of travel is to have your own private jet: everything is easier, especially in countries where the airports may close because a minister or someone of the Government will land in the same airport: e.g. Tambolaka, Sumba Airport.
We were emailing you while we were travelling to let you know what was going on, and we felt that you were with us all the time. We know that you were always in touch with all the people, guides and hotels in the places we were going. It was so convenient to be able to call Jay in the Bangkok Office with questions, changes and special requests. Bravo!!! We are again so very happy to travel with you!!! Let's start planning the third holiday now!
- 3 friends from Madrid
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"We had a great experience working with Remote Lands. You were immensely responsive and tried very hard to please us and tailor the trip to our own needs and tastes. We would definitely work with you again and recommend you to our friends. Overall we loved Cambodia the most, staying in Amansara, taking the helicopter over Angkor Wat and having our wedding vows renewed for our anniversary. One evening at Amankila in Bali we had one of the most romantic dinners of our lives in a special location overlooking the hills, ocean and rice fields at sunset and then we star watched. Wow!
- New York family
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"Remote Lands helped us create the ultimate journey to seven countries in Asia in three and a half weeks. We were exposed to incredible mix of culture, history, and excitement. The countries we knew the least about ended up being the most interesting and enjoyable. Bhutan's scenery and symmetrical, colorful architecture are incredibly breathtaking. The people are friendly and very peaceful. Remote Lands gave us the opportunity to explore nature and mesh into a new culture as one of only a few tourists are endless in Bhutan. Here, one only hears about Myanmar in conjunction with its political instability, but it should really be known for its wealth of accessible cultural and historical sites. Inle Lake is really gorgeous and being able to talk to the people who live there and feel welcome into their community is one of our fondest memories. Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is definitely a site that no one should miss in Southeast Asia; it just as beautiful as any religious site in the region. Laos is a quiet and peaceful safe haven in contrast with its busier neighbors. The streets of Luang Prabang are charming and a trip through time. The outskirts are stunning as well: green hills wrapped around the Mekong River, dotted with Buddhas and infused with unique tribal history. Remote Lands certainly adds an amount of comfort and ease that cannot be rivaled in terms of transitioning locations and feeling safe. They definitely know where to send the traveler."
- Clate and Philip, Greenwich CT
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"Remote Lands arranged an absolutely flawless trip for me to Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan where I stayed in some of the world's finest hotels - Amanbagh, Taj Rambagh Palace, Oberoi Amarvilas and the Imperial. My guides were superbly knowledgeable on history, architecture and culture, and also quite adept at taking me to the most reputable shops and galleries to indulge my passion for art collecting. I met some fascinating and influential local people and was invited to dine in private homes and clubs. I had instant insider access to the real India, and the trip had a level of depth that turned me from a tourist into a traveler. The terrorist attacks on Bombay occurred while I was in Rajasthan, but I was totally unaffected, fortunately, and Remote Lands made me feel very comfortable and kept me informed of the latest events."
- Peter, Litchfield, CT
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"We are very seasoned travellers and Remote Lands certainly delivered on our recent trip to Indochina. Their guidance on which particular sites to visit was spot on, as were the accommodations. My wife and I particularly enjoyed some of the off the beaten track experiences including a fascinating evening spent in the home of a Laotian peasant farmer and his (extended) family. We also appreciated Remote Lands' ability to deal with a problem that we encountered and make the necessary adjustments on a real time basis."
- Peter & Maria, London
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"We are intrepid travelers who love to get off the beaten track to explore. Remote Lands did a great job of arranging our trip to some of the less trodden parts of Indonesia. Our expert local guides shared their intimate knowledge of their locales with us and kept us far away from the typical tourist itineraries."
We trekked through the magnificent rice paddies of Torajaland, where each mountain valley brought us to a new tiny village of unique Torajan houses with roofs the shape of buffalo horns, where we were the only "outsiders". We dined under a star filled sky on a deserted island in the waters off Komodo National Park after a day of tracking the komodo dragon in the wild and snorkeling in the spectacular coral filled waters.
We saw some of the more visited sites as well, just not when anyone else was there! Thank you, Remote Lands."
- Peter & Bryna, New Jersey
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"We are having an incredible journey. Everything is fantastic. When we arrived [by private jet] at Hanoi, they welcomed us like prime ministers. Our Spanish-speaking guide, Lino, is superb; he is very clever, sharp and funny, so we are very happy with him. The staff was fantastic, smiled all the time, and knew in advance what we needed. Did you phone them everyday to let them know our wishes? Halong Bay is so wonderful. The crew and the chef on the junk are unsurpassable. The decoration for yesterday's dinner - I have no words. We are having one of the best trips of our lives!"
For the party's more in-depth, on-the-road testimonial, click here.
- 4 friends from Madrid and Monaco
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"Remote Lands procured superb seats for us as requested and promised along with the best hotel rooms in town. They showed us a side of Asia we wouldn't have discovered on our own - we climbed the Great Wall of China in a remote section with nobody else around for miles. Perhaps more importantly, when changes were needed ... a typhoon heading for Hong Kong, our decision to spend more time in Beijing, the need for private transport at midnight after the Singapore Grand Prix ... one phone call from us, and Remote Lands made the changes flawlessly. First Class Service, exactly as advertised ... time to start planning next year's trip!"
Two Couples from Dallas and Denver
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"What a magical experience, especially for the kids who learned to make kites and then got to fly them on the beach. During a spectacular lunch the Prince told us about his love for ballroom dancing. We couldn't resist getting up right then and there and teaching him the "Swing"."
"Our favorite days were the ones where Remote Lands planned unique "out of the box" experiences for us - the magical "Golden Hour" walk at dawn through the rice terraces and hidden temples near Ubud, horseback riding on the beach and the lunch we shared in preparing with a local Balinese family in their village home. It was a truly special holiday and we had a great time."
A Connecticut family
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"Remote Lands gave us access to people, places and things we would have never experienced otherwise. Our Southeast Asian journey was exciting, fun, educational and extraordinarily profound. There was an authenticity to the type of experience set up for us that made every city we visited special and gave us countless moments we will never forget. From the most luxurious settings and hotels, to experiencing the true culture and lifestyle of the people, WITH the people, we had the complete range put together for us. We felt like there was nothing we were missing. The door has been opened and we can't wait to go back now for more."
Jessika and David, Los Angeles
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"Thank you for planning a journey we will never forget. Sri Lanka is a beautiful, exotic and most interesting country. The people are wonderful - especially our guide nonpareil, who has led an incredible life and shared his experiences so openly with us. We loved the variety of of activities and locations. Some of the hotels were so fabulous that our only regret was not having more time to stay in these incredible places. We hated for our trip to end and hope to return someday. We'll definitely recommend Sri Lanka to friends and we certainly look forward to working with you again in the future. Thanks for your professional assistance that made all the difference in a truly exceptional experience. In summary, we would definitely recommend your company to friends and as a matter of fact, we have already done so".
Janet and Tim, Colorado
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"Our trip to China went beyond our expectations. We truly got a sense of the culture. Rather than the hop-off-the-bus, click-the-camera, get-back-aboard experience that so many well-intentioned companies provide, we had dinner with local students, hiked through fields with village farmers, and walked the city streets with experienced guides who talked about daily life. Of course, we saw many of the important sites in the places we visited, but we were always relaxed and in control of our schedule. Our trip was made exciting with the Macau Tower Jump, enriching with the opportunity to learn about ancient Asian art from experts in Hong Kong, challenging with a variety of unique and spicy Sichuan foods, and amazing with eight cuddly panda bears in Wolong. Meeting the head abbot of a Lhasa monastery was an experience no regular tour would think to provide.
We were well looked after - one of our guides even stepped into a restaurant's kitchen and prepared a dish just for us! We hesitate to say it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - we will travel with Remote Lands again and look forward to those new, exclusive adventures."
Mark & Lee - Austin, TX
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"I had a GREAT time on the trip. I feel completely culturally enriched. We saw a part of the world I had never seen, and did things few Westerners ever do in their lifetimes (like eating with a local Lao family in their home; having a Buddhist marriage renewal ceremony in Cambodia; seeing grubs for sale from street vendors). I met people who live in a culture completely different from my own. Thanks for everything, it was definitely a trip of a lifetime and something I'll never forget. We really had a great time and I would definitely do another trip in the future, without question."
Ken & Corrie - Los Angeles, CA
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"Bhutan was an unforgettable experience; We especially enjoyed meeting the business people in Kathmandu and the professor in Paro which we could never have done on a regular tour. Both were very special glimpses into real life in Bhutan and Nepal. Besides being a lot of fun, we were able to ask a lot of questions which were answered in detail and with patience. The wedding was also a very special memory; being dressed in the same clothes as our hosts made us feel part of the village life. (Eating and drinking the traditional wedding treats - most of which were completely unidentifiable to us - was challenging, but will make the memory stick!) Thanks again for helping us to create such special memories."
Three Couples - Montreal, Canada
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"We had a lovely and highly interesting trip to India, Nepal and Bhutan. Highlights were numerous but among them, we will never forget the Humayan Tomb in Delhi, the breathtaking Amber Fort in Jaipur and the Jain temple complex in Ranakpur. We stayed in extraordinary hotels such as the Lake Palace in Udaipur, Amanbagh in Alwar and the Imperial in New Delhi where the service and atmosphere were superb. Remote Lands arranged for us to renew our marriage vows in an authentic and moving ceremony at a local Bhutanese farmhouse outside Paro. Buddhist monks chanted, traditional blessings were offered, and symbolic foods and wines were shared. All in all an unforgettable journey."
Jacques & Yvonne - Mexico & Paris
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"Remote Lands planned our family's three week vacation [by private jet]. Our very detailed itinerary included 13 towns in 9 different countries, focusing on Indochina and Thailand. Remote Lands did such a wonderful job planning the trip. They were excellent in preparation, detail and in selection of important places to go and see. The logistics were very well planned and executed - everyone was on time as scheduled. Our guides were thoughtful, flexible, always punctual and helpful. Our Hanoi guide was especially capable, open, straightforward and articulate. We stayed in touch with Catherine and Jay by Blackberry throughout the trip and emailed them at least once a day with feedback, last minute changes and additional requests, and they responded rapidly to the issues"
American Family
We had been to Siem Reap before ... but this trip was truly one-of-a-kind, an insiders look into the life and culture of the Cambodian people, truly a trip of a lifetime. |
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"Remote Lands arranged an extraordinary Cambodian journey for us. We traveled with a private guide and experienced adventures we never dreamed of: Angkor Wat at sunrise, bicycling on the walls of Angor Thom, exploring a jungle temple few visitors have ever seen, watching the sunset from a private boat on Tonle Sap Lake and being blessed by an old Buddhist Monk at his village pagoda. At the end of each day we returned to our hidden gem of a hotel and enjoyed a fabulous gourmet dinner. We had been to Siem Reap before, but the program Remote Lands put together was truly one-of-a-kind, leaving us with an insiders look into the life and culture of the Cambodian people, truly a trip of a lifetime."
Marion & Carl - Austin, TX
Having travelled quite intrepidly, we wanted a trip that wouldn't fall into the traditional category of 'honeymoon' -- so we decided on Papua New Guinea. |
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"We stayed with local tribes in their villages and in their huts...the Asaro Mudman tribal people took us where no tourists had been before, down through their lands to the source of the clay they use to make their tribal masks. this was the type of experience that summed up the way in which Remote Lands operates - encounters you wouldn't have heard about, you wouldn't know how to arrange it if you had and no-one else (and by that I mean tourists) has ever done before.
Every guest house or lodge that we stayed in during the trip was either a) the best PNG had to offer - do bear in mind this is relative, or b) splendidly atmospheric and indigenous to the local people and their way of life. We were off to the Maldives for the final leg of our honeymoon so we had informed Catherine and Jay that, predominantly, we wanted option b. We got it and though not affording you the perfect night's sleep on every occasion, you couldn't have found accommodation that allowed you greater in-depth access and visibility to the country and the people. Catherine and Jay were spot on in their knowledge of what we should expect."
For a complete description of their amazing journey in PNG, please click here.
Mark & Katherine - London, UK
Sixteen days, four countries, eight flights, and six hotels without a hitch. |
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"Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand in sixteen days ... Six hotels, eight flights, three boats, two elephants and an oxcart, all smoothly arranged and without a hitch. Years ago, in our youth, we could arrive somewhere exotic and spend a week or two reconnoitering. Today, leisure time is the resource we lack. Remote Lands makes the most of every moment and exceeded our expectations."
Ralph & Orn - New York, NY
It was individual and authentic. And I was treated like a family friend, not a paying guest. |
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As she recounted to indagare.com, on her recent solo Remote Lands trip to India, Alyssa Duncan stayed with the Maharajah of Burdwan and his wife in their palace overlooking Mt. Katchenjunga. But Duncan also visited Hayden Hall in Darjeeling, a non-profit foundation that teaches poor women to be self-sufficient; a working tea plantation; and a Tibetan refugee center where she heard tales of fleeing from Chinese rule. "I met people I never would have met before on a regular luxury vacation," says Duncan. "It was individual and authentic. And I was treated like a family friend, not a paying guest." She added "I had an absolutely wonderful time! Everyone was so nice and took such good care of me. I didn't have time to feel the least bit lonely!"
Alyssa - Ulysses, KS
I did not initially have any desire to meet local people, much less visit their homes, but my wife pushed me to, and it turned out to be the best part of the trip by far. |
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"My wife and I took a two week trip to Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) with Remote Lands. I did not initially have any desire to meet local people, much less visit their homes, but my wife pushed me to, and it turned out to be the best part of the trip by far. In Laos, we drove to the very remote tribal area of Luang Namtha in the far north, where we attended a New Year's celebration in a small farming village. We had a delicious dinner with our host family in their home, eating the sticky rice they farm. We topped off the evening with shots of locally made rice whiskey, which certainly cleared the palate! Even though we did not speak the same language, we were able to communicate with each other. Everyone was so warm and nice to us and they really made us feel part of their community. It was an unforgettable experience."
George & Eleanor - New York, NY