Ancient Cultures and Contemporary Traditions: Europe to Asia by Private Jet

24 DAYS FROM $94,995*

• Venture to the sacred places of four religions in Georgia, Sri Lanka, and Jerusalem. • Explore two Silk Road trading hubs where world cultures intermingled: Samarkand and Oman. • Encounter history in Berlin, sample Hungarian wines, and meet nomads in the Gobi.

Private Jet Light/Moderate

DAY 1 I LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Arrive in London and transfer to your luxury hotel. Then enjoy a welcome dinner at nearby Trinity House. Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square Meals: 1D

DAYS 2–3 I BERLIN, GERMANY Our first flight by private jet brings us to Berlin. See the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, and meander through the German Spy Museum Berlin or explore underground World War II bunkers. Visit the Pergamon Museum and the Reichstag, or stroll through the Jewish Museum. Alternatively, head to Potsdam to see the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Sanssouci Palace. Adlon Kempinski | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAYS 4–6 I BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Explore the city’s two sides, separated by the mighty Danube. Discover Buda’s World Heritage–listed Castle Hill on a walking tour. Then choose from optional tours of the Opera House or Parliament building on the Pest side; a Jewish Heritage tour, a cooking class, or a wine tasting. Visit the artists’ colony of Szentendre, or enjoy a day trip to Slovakia and Austria. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D

DAYS 7–9 I TBILISI, GEORGIA Land in Tbilisi and choose from a variety of activities, from an architecture tour of the old town or a visit an art school to an excursion to the Kakhet’i wine region. Explore the ancient capital of Mtskheta or step into the cave city of Uplistsikhe and Stalin’s birthplace. Tour the Georgian National Museum or the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater, and gather for a performance of polyphonic singing. Tbilisi Marriott | Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D DAYS 10–11 I SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN Samarkand was once a Silk Road oasis of science, music, religion, and commerce. On Registan Square, admire breathtaking gems of Islamic architecture. See mosaic-covered madrasas, and visit the Gur-e Amir mausoleum and the Ulugbek Observatory. Tour the Afrosiab Museum and attend a papermaking workshop, or stroll through the Siab Bazaar. Registan Plaza or similar | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D DAYS 12–14 I GOBI OR GORKHI-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK AND ULAANBAATAR Flyto Ulaanbaatar and continueby private charter to the Gobi desert and settle intotraditionalgertents. Meet a shaman and a nomadic family, walk the Moltsog Els sanddunes, and visit the Flaming Cliffs, beforea demonstration of the traditional sports of theNaadam festival. Or tour theGandan Monasteryin Ulaanbaatarandgo hiking andhorseback riding inGorkhi-Terelj National Park. Three Camel Lodge or Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar and Terelj Hotel | Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D DAYS 15–17 I POLONNARUWA, DAMBULLA, AND SIGIRIYA, SRI LANKA Arrive in Colombo, and fly by charter to Hingurakgoda the next day. Explore the

12th-century capital of Polonnaruwa, look for elephants in Minneriya National Park, and visit the ancient Golden Temple of Dambulla. Venture to the royal city of Sigiriya, tour a spice plantation with an Ayurvedic doctor, or enjoy a tasting at a tea plantation. Celebrate Sri Lankan culture at a gala dinner. Shangri-La Colombo and Jetwing Vil Uyana Sigiriya | Meals: 3B, 3L, 3D

DAYS 18–19 I MUSCAT, OMAN Return to Colombo and fly by private jet to Muscat, once an important Silk Road port. Sail the Gulf of Oman in a traditional dhow, and tour the National Museum, the Grand Mosque, and the Al Alam Palace. Then stroll the fragrant alleys of the Mutrah Souq. Alternatively, spend the day amid the historic sites and date palms of Nizwá. Al Husn Shangri-la | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D DAYS 20–22 I JERUSALEM, ISRAEL In the holy city of Jerusalem, explore the World Heritage–listed Old City. Venture to the excavations beneath the city or visit the Israel Museum. Spend time at Yad Vashem or see Rachel’s tomb and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Discover the history of Eid Karem or take a tasting tour in Yehuda Market. Alternatively, venture to the fortress of Masada, and enjoy a float in the Dead Sea. Celebrate our cultural odyssey at a festive farewell dinner. American Colony Hotel | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D DAYS 23–24 I LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Fly to London by private jet. Depart on commercial flights the next day. Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square Meals: 2B, 1L, 1D

FLY BY PRIVATE JET

A Boeing 757 jet has been specially outfitted for this incredible expedition. The jet’s interior has been refitted to accommodate just 75 guest travelers in two-by-two, VIP-style seats. YOUR EXPEDITION TEAM

A team of National Geographic Experts will accompany this expedition: From left, anthropologist David Harrison, archaeologist William Saturno, and photographer Nevada Wier.

INFORMATION

Dates: June 7–30, 2023 *2023 Price: from $94,995 Prices are per person, double occupancy, and subject to change. Single supplement applies; please see our website. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are protected by a surety bond. Transportation by private Boeing 757 jet and other conveyance, as noted in the itinerary, is included in the price. Airfare to and from London, England is not included. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice. Please Note: This trip will be operated by National Geographic Expeditions, on flights operated by Icelandair. Visit natgeoexpeditions.com/privatejetterms to view the operator-participant contract and terms and conditions for this trip.

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