Rickshaw Travel launches a series of new meaningful trips and itinerary options to banish the winter blues

Rickshaw Travel is always adding to and developing their programme of meaningful adventures ensuring guests can access the most extraordinary yet local and authentic experiences in a destination.

Travellers can either choose an ‘off the peg’ itinerary or build their own itinerary from a series of ‘bite-size’ 3 and 4-day trips. Whether holidaymakers book an itinerary or pick and mix a series of bite-size trips Rickshaw Travel aims to bring them closer to the communities, culture and lives of the local people.

We’ve highlighted some of the top new bite-size trips and itinerary options that offer an individual and enriching experience below.

NEW bite-size trip: Bites and Bikes of Penang – Malaysia

The island-city of Penang is a patchwork of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures that is bursting at the seams with character. During this 3-day trip travellers will hop on a bike for a guided tour of Georgetown, the cultural heart of the city, discovering hidden temples, wandering amongst the flower carts and learning about the history of the area. The trip will also encompass some seriously tasty street food giving a true flavour of the local community. For breakfast guests will stop to try a variety of different Indian breads alongside a local ‘teh tarik’, and lunch will include a selection of local dishes to share from a hawker centre including local favourites such as Assam Laksa and Char Keow Teow.

Best time to visit inland Malaysia: It’s drier in the months of March-September although Rickshaw recommends avoiding the peak months of July and August.

This 3-day trip costs form £125 per person (standard) or £158 per person (in style) and includes 2 nights accommodation, breakfast and a half day bike tour with food (helmet and safety jacket supplied).

NEW bite-size trip: Life Amongst the Rice Paddies – Sri Lanka

Although only around an hour from the hustle and bustle of busy Kandy, Digana and its surrounding villages feels like a million miles away. From lush jungle to tumbling rice paddies, the only sounds travellers will hear are those of the wildlife, the gurgling of the nearby river, and perhaps the occasional swish of a scythe. Guests will spend 2 nights in a simple eco-lodge and take a hearty walk through one of the nearby villages. Owner Nihal set up the eco lodge alongside his Dutch wife, Nel in order to give something back to the villagers. They’ve worked alongside the local community every step of the way to ensure that everything they do benefits those who need it. They employ only local staff from the villages and in his spare time Nihal gives free English classes which guests can get involved in.

Best time to visit central Sri Lanka: Rickshaw Recommends travelling December – March.

This 3-day bite-size trip is priced at £195 and includes accommodation, transport, meals and a local guide on the second day.

NEW bite-size trip: Make a splash in Snorkelling Coves – Panama

Far away from the tourist throngs is the quiet fishing village of Boca Chica, nestled amongst the Chiriquí lowlands. Guests will stay in a cosy bungalow just outside the village and head out on a boat trip to discover the islands in the Golfo de Chiriquí. Not only are these quiet islands home to monkeys, beautiful birds and wildlife they’re also blessed with soft, powdery sand and offer a snorkeler’s paradise of tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins and colourful coral reefs. This trip provides true escapism and can be combined with a variety of short trip options in Panama and Costa Rica.

This 3-day bite-size trip is priced at £265 per person (standard) or £298 per person (in style) and includes 2 nights accommodation, breakfast, boat tour including snorkelling gear and picnic lunch

Best time to visit: Rickshaw recommends travelling between Jan and April.

These new bite-size trips can all be combined with a variety of trip options and experiences in the relevant destinations. A minimum of three bite-size trips are required to build an individual itinerary.

For those short on time or looking for inspiration, Rickshaw Travel’s ‘ready-made’ itineraries are an ideal option. They aim to combine the classic highlights and sights of a destination with individual Rickshaw experiences. Here are our top new picks:

NEW itinerary: A Taste of Sabah – Borneo

Bustling city markets, mighty Mount Kinabalu, lush jungles and sandy shores all await travellers in Sabah. This new 11-day itinerary covers some of the more adventurous highlights of East Borneo from mountain peaks to sandy beaches. Starting in Kota Kinabalu travellers will climb mount Kinabalu that dominates the skyline. Next on the agenda is an expedition to Tabin Nature Reserve where guests will go on a guided jungle trek spotting monkeys, birds and wildlife in the lush canopy. The journey concludes on Manukan Island, a world of white sandy beaches, dense jungle interior and colourful fish-filled seas – all just 15 minutes off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.

Best time to visit: Dry season is April to August but don’t let that put you off – it’s possible to visit all year

This 11-day itinerary costs from £1748 per person and includes 10 nights accommodation with breakfast, permits and transport and excursions as detailed on the Rickshaw Travel website.

NEW itinerary: Treasures of Lombok – Indonesia

For travellers looking for the complete Lombok experience this is it. They will discover the tumbling rice paddies of Ubud before journeying to nearby Lombok island. Travellers can then take a fishing trip amongst tiny islands, hike to remote villages and sleep under the stars at the summit of an active volcano. They’ll top it all off with a few days relaxing on the sugar soft sands of the Gili Islands and their journey will be complete… but not before grabbing a tropical cocktail and letting it all sink in.

Best time to visit: Dry season is April – October

This 14 day itinerary is priced from £1138 per person and includes 13 nights accommodation with breakfast and transport and excursions as detailed on the Rickshaw Travel website.

NEW itinerary: From Cobbled Streets to Coral Reefs – Nicaragua

Discover the real ‘off-the-beaten-track’ Nicaragua with this itinerary. Travellers can wander along colonial streets, soaking up the atmosphere before helping out with the evening meal at a local homestay then simply unwind on a white sandy beach. From the charming city of Granada travellers will head north to the San Ramon Community for a night with a local family before journeying to artistic Leon to discover the art of traditional painting. The local people in San Ramon have set up a successful community project where local families open their homes to tourists. Here guests will be immersed in family life and can try their hand at cooking up some homely Nicaraguan food. In this small village guests are unlikely to meet any other tourists. The itinerary ends with a relaxing stay on the sugary sands of the Corn Islands.

Best time to visit: Rickshaw recommends travelling February – May.

This 10-day itinerary costs from £1188 per person (standard) or £1275 (in style) and includes 9 nights accommodation with breakfast, meals at the homestay, Granada city tour with guide, cultural heritage trip in Leon, transport and domestic flights to and from the Corn Islands, snorkelling tour on Corn Islands and Masaya Volcano tour.

All prices quoted are based on two people sharing and do not include flights (unless specified). Rickshaw Travel can arrange international flights.

For more information on the new trips from Rickshaw Travel visit: www.rickshawtravel.co.uk or call 01273 322399