Secret Compass unveils new 2015 trek to Armenia's Southern Highlands for summer 2015
(TRAVPR.COM) UK - September 30th, 2014 - On 30 September 2014, pioneering expedition company Secret Compass launches its brand new adventure: a high-altitude trek across the southern highlands of Armenia to explore the fables, myths and legends of this formerly troubled region.
Tom Bodkin, Secret Compass founder, said, “The expedition aim is to summit two southern Armenian peaks – Mount Khustup (3,206m) and Mount Aramazd (3,392m) to reach the historic city of Tatev.
“Politically, Armenia is poised between some rocks and hard places with many of its borders currently closed to its neighbours.
“Historically, the region is a cradle of Christianity. Home to the world’s oldest national church, Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity as its state religion in the 4th Century.
“Geographically, southern Armenia is perfect for this challenging Secret Compass trek. Its rolling, fertile valleys and striking, high-altitude ridgelines offering awesome trekking and photography opportunities.”
Kerry O’Neill, marketing director of Secret Compass, said, “Our team expeditions achieve the extraordinary in the world’s wildest places, from Afghanistan’s Pamir Mountains to the jungles of Panama and the deserts of southern Sinai.
“This self-supported summer expedition offers an antidote to the Alps’ crowded trekking spots, with team members guaranteed a real sense of remoteness and isolation.
“The team will pick its way along Armenia’s southern ridge line, summiting two major peaks and passing precipitously perched monasteries and UNESCO-protected heritage en route to Tatev Monastery.”
Former team member Kellie Sommerville (Afhganistan 2014) said, “There is definitely a reason Secret Compass runs expeditions not tours. You couldn’t feel further from being a tourist, it is such a genuine experience.”
A second team member (Sierra Leone 2014) said, “The potential for discovery and adventure on Secret Compass expeditions is hard to fathom, as if from some epic in literature. If I hadn’t experienced it with my own eyes, I might not have believed it.”
With its military background, expedition company Secret Compass is renowned for offering adventurous, exploratory and often world-first travel experiences to countries eschewed by most operators due to their remoteness, post-conflict reputations or inaccessibility.
Its upcoming adventure travel destinations include Panama, Kurdistan, Madagascar, Kamchatka, Sinai, Afghanistan, Arunachal Pradesh, Kyrgyzstan and Ethiopia.
Expedition Fact Box
· Name: Armenian expedition: Fables, myths and legends
· Dates: 28 Aug to 6 Sep
· Duration: 8 nights
· Group size: Maximum 8
· Cost: £1.499
· (Flights: £280 return at present, London airports to Yerevan, Armenia)
For further press information, contact Kerry O’Neill on Kerry@secretcompass.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Secret Compass is a pioneering expedition company creating world-first experiences for teams of like-minded adventurers. Through group and bespoke adventures, Secret Compass helps each team member achieve the extraordinary in the world’s wildest places. Founded by ex-British Army Parachute Regiment officers, its expeditions reach the planet’s most remote regions in the spirit of exploration’s earliest pioneers. Its highly trained professionals deliver well-planned and safe experiences, while encouraging daring leaps out of comfort zones. Secret Compass is passionate about returning tourism to post-conflict zones and emerging economies to stimulate local development and challenge preconceptions.
Specialist Film and TV services
Secret Compass also takes film crews, journalists and photographers to remote and previously inaccessible areas thanks to its unrivalled location management expertise. Clients to date include the BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet and Channel 4, in countries from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.
www.secretcompass.com
press@secretcompass.com
Press enquiries: 0203 2398 038
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www.twitter.com/Secret_Compass
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