Steppes Travel (or Steppes East as it was then) was founded in 1989 with the objective of creating a travel company where service and knowledge are of the highest priority. We aim to design itineraries, which, while including the highlights of any country, additionally take travellers off the beaten track to see lesser known, but equally interesting places not frequented by large numbers of tourists.

We offer individuals the ability to travel safely in remote areas in the knowledge that one of us has been there before. Furthermore we run a 24-hour emergency service, which ensures that at any time, a member of staff is on call to help resolve a local difficulty. It is our belief that these little details make the difference between a good travel company and an exceptional travel company.

To achieve this we demand a very high calibre of staff who on the one hand, through a combination of upbringing and education, can objectively analyse and appreciate the finest hotels and resorts in the world and yet who will, at a moments notice, disappear off to some far flung remote corner to visit a particular treasure which, for whatever reason, has grabbed their attention. Additionally they must have the intellect and education to absorb the culture and history of a country, so that in turn they can produce interesting and stimulating ideas for you the traveller.

We have a sales staff of 18 in the office all of whom have a wealth of travel experience under their belts and who revisit their own particular areas of expertise each year to refresh their minds and discover new opportunities. Some have now been with us for more than 10 years and have developed a following of clients who trust their judgement and will travel with no one else. We hope you will join those ranks.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION
Steppes Travel is a fully bonded tour operator that complies with the Civil Aviation Authority bonding conditions of the UK, which fully guarantees your money in the unlikely event of us going out of business before you depart on holiday. Our ATOL number is 6945. In addition all accommodation (hotels, lodges, boats) only bookings are also financially protected with payments held in a separate trust account, in accordance with the Package Travel Regulations Act 1992.

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
Our staff have travelled extensively throughout their regions and in many cases have lived there, so you can rely on their first hand knowledge and enthusiasm. They will tell you about those intimate, friendly hotels and introduce you to charismatic guides - those little extra qualities that make your holiday both unique and special.

We insist that they regularly visit the regions they cover, meticulously inspect hotels and keep abreast of all issues relating to travel. Our sales staff will be out of the office for approximately a month a year refreshing their knowledge and discovering new areas and places to stay.

QUALITY PERSONAL SERVICE
Every client is looked after by one consultant committed to offering you a very personal service. They will remain your point of contact and are happy to answer any questions or queries that you might have regarding your trip. In turn each consultant is supported by an experienced and professional administration team.

A TAILORMADE JOURNEY
An entire holiday designed around your requirements. This allows you to explore your own interests, select your own style of accommodation and travel at your own pace. You are not beholden to a group itinerary or schedule. All local travel arrangements are made using private guides and drivers wherever possible. As ever, our specialists' knowledge is always at your disposal.

After an initial discussion with you, one of our specialists will create a unique itinerary for your trip, complete with background information. We are of course delighted to fine tune the itinerary until you are completely satisfied with it. Your trip will be dealt with by the same specialist throughout and you are welcome to call him or her at any time. Or alternatively please come and see us in the office or make an appointment for us to come and see you.

QUALITY LOCAL SUPPORT
Tour operators subcontract the handling and their logistics of their clients to a third party in the country of destination. The essence is to find a ground handler who has the same ethos as oneself so that clients are looked after in the way in which we would want them to be looked after. With twenty years of experience and knowledge we have built up many longstanding relationships with our agents, ensuring that they deliver the level of service that our clients expect.

The quality of your guide can make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one. The guides we use have been picked by us, or by our local representatives, as the best available and great care has been taken over their training. They provide more than just dates or names; they strive to offer a real insight into their country and region. Some may even welcome you into their home and many Steppes clients do keep in contact long after they return home.

It is little extras and personalised touches like these on the ground that make your holiday with us both distinctive and individual.

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
We have a 24 hour emergency service to give you, our valued clients, added security and peace of mind. In the unlikely event of an emergency we are contactable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

RECOGNITION
Rather than beat our own drum, the fact that 70% of our business is repeat and referral is, for us, the highest endorsement we could have. Plus being twenty years in the business confirms our expertise and professionalism.

DISCOVERY INITIATIVES
Have you heard about our sister company Discovery Initiatives, founded in 1997, a travel company dedicated to supporting nature, wildlife and conservation through responsible wildlife tourism. Discovery Initiatives offers exceptional wildlife holidays that you can't find anywhere else. So if you're looking to track gorillas, to see tigers in the wild, or want to see lion research projects in action, give the team at Discovery Initiatives a call on 01285 643333 or visit their website www.discoveryinitiatives.com