Travel Deals: All over Asia

Nepal and Bhutan

The snow-covered landscapes of Nepal and Bhutan are the perfect escape from the scorching summer. Available through Responsible Travel, this 11-day trip focuses on culture, with tours of Kathmandu, Paro and Thimpu - visits to the age-old dzong, or monasteries, and shrines dotted in the mountains; shopping in the local markets for wooden sculptures, traditional, handwoven fabrics and pottery; trips to local museums, including arts and craft institutes, the National Library of Bhutan, home to an extensive collection of Buddhist manuscripts on Himalayan culture and religion, and the Institute of Tibetology, Nepal. Visitors can also add hiking and trekking to the itinerary if they choose. From £905 (Dh5,474) for 11 days, excluding international flights, with accommodation, full board, local flights and transport. Departures from July onwards, with a 10 per cent discount on selected trips in August, September and October. For more information, visit www.responsibletravel.com.

The Maldives

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives has a "pay-five-get-seven family adventure" package that includes accommodation in one of the resort's spacious two-bedroom beach villas, return domestic flights from Malé to Gan for four persons, four family adventures - a dolphin cruise, a snorkelling trip, a bicycle tour of Addu and a private, guided nature walk, two dinners - a barbecue in the gardens and a torch-lit feast in the jungle - and breakfast. Children receive a bicycle to use during the stay, and kids under six eat gratis. From US$1,800 (Dh6,611) per villa, per night, based on four sharing, including taxes. Valid until September 30. Visit www.shangri-la.com to book.

Baros Maldives, a luxury resort about a 25-minute boat ride from Malé airport, has a special package for GCC residents: book a minimum of four nights in a deluxe villa and get a complimentary upgrade to a luxury villa, a 30-minute spa treatment and free Wi-Fi. From $703 (Dh2,582) per villa, per night, including taxes. The package is valid until August 31. To book, visit www.baros.com or call 00 871 04 448 4670 for details.

India's north-east

Visit Nagaland and Assam with this two-week trip organised by Travel the Unknown. From colourful festivals to trekking in a national park to a day spent among the Naga tribes, there's plenty to do and see in India's north-east. Glimpse the Indian rhino on elephant-back in Kaziranga National Park; spend a day on Majuli Island on the Brahmaputra River; cross into Nagaland and tour the capital, Kohima, for three days of excitement at the Hornbill Festival. Afterwards, head north through the tribal Naga villages of Mokokchung and Mon to end your trip with a visit to one of the sprawling tea estates in Dibrugarh, Assam. The tour costs from £2,095 (Dh12,673) per person, including two domestic flights, accommodation, some meals, local transport, the services of an English-speaking guide, most meals, all activities mentioned in the itinerary, entrance fees to sites. International airfare is not included. Visit www.travetheunknown.com for more details.

China

Beijing and Shanghai are the cities visited on this six-day trip to China. In the capital, spend four days exploring the network of hutongs, wandering around the Forbidden City, climbing the Great Wall and marvelling at the Ming tombs. The last two days are spent touring Shanghai, with visits to the Yuyuan Gardens in the old quarter of the city, an afternoon enjoying the sights on the waterfront, a stop at the Jade Buddha temple and a rewarding climb to the observatory of the Oriental Tower - the views over the city are unparalleled. The trip costs from Dh1,942 per person, including accommodation with breakfast, all transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle, the services of a guide and taxes. International airfare is not included. Visit www.coxandkings.ae to book.

ciyer@thenational.ae