As the largest and most populated continent on earth, Asia, is a center, cradle and catalyst of civilizations dating from times immemorial to the most modern human development.  Birthplace of ancient empires, religions, and modern economic models, the continent is a rich treasure to discover. To people from all epochs, since prehistoric times and ancient civilizations, to the Silk Road traders, the contemporary adventure enthusiasts and frenetic businessmen jet-setting the globe, Asia has always offered something to be discovered. Something grand and magnificent, something small and charming, or something meaningful and spiritual.

Empires and religions have driven the accumulation of rich cultural heritage in all Asian destinations – from Mongolia to Jordan, and from Siberia to India. Discoveries from printing to dynamite, and from paper to anime cartoons, have produced a wealth of artifacts, sites and monuments to be seen and admired by the cultural traveler.

Incredibly beautiful nature, rich wildlife, breath-taking scenery and ancient ruins from virtually all important human civilizations alternate with ultra-modern cities, mystic temples, and high-mountain monasteries. The superb travel services and the proverbial warm hospitality of the Asian people make every visit to this continent a pleasurable and unforgettable journey.

Join Cultural Crossroads as we savor the many sights, sounds and diverse cultural experiences in Thailand, Mongolia, Bhutan and Jordan.  Travelers will have the opportunities to practice traditional Thai arts, or volunteer their time to local communities in Thailand.  You will journey along the Karakoram highway in Mongolia visiting the nomads in their gers; hike roads less traveled in Bhutan; and visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in Petra, Jordan.

Two of our tours to Asia were named by National Geographic Traveler among the “50 Trips of a Lifetime” and rightfully so. They offer unmatched experiences, enriching adventures and a wealth of cultural delights.

Cultural Crossroads Tours to Asia at a Glance

• Explore Jordan - 7 Day Journey into History and Hospitality
  

  Join Cultural Crossroads to experience Jordan, the ancient crossroads of the Middle East. It is a country rich in archeology, culture, history and food. Travelers will experience this unique country with its busy city of Amman, the primeval desert of Wadi Rum, the stark but beautiful Dead Sea, and the mysteries of Petra. Come spend time with a shaman and learn about traditional Arab medicinal practices; take in a cooking class of local dishes; enjoy a Jeep ride into the desert and visit the unforgettable Nabataean city of Petra. Cultural Crossroads travelers also enjoy wonderful hand-on experiences such as making baskets out of cattail reeds and banana leaves with the women from the Wadi Al-Rayan Project. The project not only creates job opportunities for local women, it is environmentally friendly and preserves traditional handicrafts in the area. These are only some of the special treasures that await Cultural Crossroads travelers in this special place.

• The Wonders of Jordan - 11 Day Cultural Adventure
  

  Featured in National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime" for 2010

  Travel through this land of warmth and hospitality, an amazing country rich in history and diversity. From the sea to the mountains to the desert, come explore Jordan’s breathtaking treasures and visit a new 7th Wonder of the World, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. Exclusive visit to the Royal Stables (not open to the public) Cultural Crossroads travelers will be joined by HRH Princess Alia, daughter of the late King Hussein, will join us for lunch and put on private horse show of her Arabian horses for us. Another exclusive is a Gala dinner party catered by 5 star hotels at the private King Hussein Club. Visit to a local herbologist who will tell us about the ancient Arab medical practices. Private lecture by a professional Arabic calligrapher about the roots of Arabic calligraphy. Take part in an interactive session, meet a Shaman who will talk about traditional Arab medical practices, and take herbal tea or coffee with some of the local Bedouin families. Meet local artisans and craftspeople, have hands-on experiences with the craftspeople and cook a Jordanian meal, as well as visit so many amazing cultural and historical spots in Jordan including Petra, one of the newest 7th Wonders of the World.

• Thailand: Unseen Culture and Nature
  

  Join Cultural Crossroads for an experience like no other. Our trip to Thailand enables our travelers to watch and experience Thai culture and its traditional living arts through Thai Etiquette, Dance, Traditional Flower arranging and Lai Thai or Thai Design. These living arts are taught by master local teachers. Participants spend an evening tracking wild elephants with local rangers and spend the day in Khao Yai National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. We will learn about traditional Lanna style textile weaving and spend time with a ceramics expert and his collection. Cultural Crossroads travelers can enjoy a Thai Cooking Class and spend a day of Voluntourism. Travelers have the opportunity to “give back” to the communities. Choices include half a day at The Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), a half or full day teaching English or doing trail repair work, farming or scientific data collection.

• Thailand: Unseen Culture and Nature 5-Stars Tour
  

  Join Cultural Crossroads for an experience like no other. Our trip to Thailand enables our travelers to watch and experience Thai culture and its traditional living arts through Thai Etiquette, Dance, Traditional Flower arranging and Lai Thai or Thai Design. These living arts are taught by master local teachers. Participants spend an evening tracking wild elephants with local rangers and spend the day in Khao Yai National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. We will learn about traditional Lanna style textile weaving and spend time with a ceramics expert and his collection. Cultural Crossroads travelers can enjoy a Thai Cooking Class and spend a day of Voluntourism. Travelers have the opportunity to “give back” to the communities. Choices include half a day at The Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), a half or full day teaching English or doing trail repair work, farming or scientific data collection

• Mongolia: Cultural Landscape and Diversity
  

  Join Cultural Crossroads for a cultural trip to Mongolia, a country with ancient Tibetan-Buddhist traditions, monasteries and friendly spiritual people. Meet lamas, hear the low tones of the horns used to call the lamas to the temple and observe their daily rituals. Our travelers have special access to the Arts Council of Mongolia and its art collection. Meet local artists and crafts people. Enjoy the Hustain Nuruu National Reserve, home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the Takhi. Learn about current conservation efforts and the status of the herds found within the reserve. We will see the Kharakhorum, site of the 13th-century capital of the Mongol Empire of Chinggis Khan. Take in the remote and stunning wilderness of Mongolia when we stay in South Gobi, home to Bactrian camels, Argali mountain sheep, goitered gazelle, golden eagles, saker falcons, jerboas (similar to kangaroo rats) and many endemic reptiles. The Gobi is also home to some of the Northern Hemisphere’s rarest and most elusive mammals such as the dhole, snow leopard, wild camel, and Gobi bear. Cultural Crossroads travelers will stay at the Three Camel Lodge in gers (Mongolian tents), an eco-lodge located near the Gurvansaikhan Gobi National Park. Our trip ends with a visit to a nomadic family leading a local movement to protect and preserve the Bactrian camel populations

• Back Roads of Bhutan
  

  Cultural Crossroads invites you to participate in a special trip to unexplored Bhutan. The country is landlocked between the Himalayas, India and Tibetan. There are few developed Bhutan has been culturally preserved and is unaltered by the modern global culture that most other nations have influencing them. It is one of the most unique places to visit. It is the only country where Buddhism is the state religion and the country does not measure its success by Gross Domestic Product, but by Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is a small country with very fragile environment, so the government is serious and giving first priority to preserve the natural environment. Bhutan is set to become first nation in the world where the citizens have a constitutional obligation to preserve the environment. Bhutan constitution emphasizes the need for every citizen of the country to protect the environment, conserve its rich biodiversity and prevent ecological degradation including noise, visual and physical pollution through the adoption of environment friendly practices and ethos. Bhutan is committed to keep minimum of 60% of its forest cover forever.

  Cultural Crossroads makes sure our travelers carry out what they carry in, and how they can help conserve water and electricity, and other items in their hotel rooms. Combined with a well preserved ancient culture, this country is truly a fascinating and unique place to visit.

  We will visit many villages, meet with local elders/leaders and farmers and learn about the challenges they face, their daily activities, and ways to improve their living conditions. Our travelers will experience the HAA district, not yet explored by other tour operators. Cultural Crossroads participants will enjoy a special permit to enter the Tigers’s Nest monastery (Taktsang). We will also meet and interact with lamas and monks from the various monasteries and temples and have opportunities to meet with local artisans and crafts people. Traditional handicraft makers and artisans form a big bulk of the Bhutanese population. The sale of their products is being encouraged to visitors helping the local people to benefit from the rich. Visitors can also contribute to locals eating their wonderful local food encouraging farmers to produce more agricultural products for the demanding market for better living. Animal husbandry is still a predominant activity amongst rural population. The purchase of fresh dairy products like cheese, butter, milk, and meat to feed the visitors during their travel to Bhutan is another economic net contributing to triple bottom line.

  The tour is for 8-16 travelers only, so you can enjoy the company of others, or fill the trip with your friends and/or family. Our small group size provides you with special opportunities and private access for unique cultural experiences.

  Cultural Crossroads donates the portion of our profits to sustainable community programs in the countries we travel to. In Bhutan we give to the Tarayana Foundation (http://www.tarayanafoundation.org/) a non-profit organization working to reduce poverty and enhance the lives of people in rural communities in Bhutan.