AROUND THE WORLD BY PRIVATE JET |

Circumnavigate the globe on the adventure of a lifetime, discovering some of the world’s most celebrated treasures with a team of top National Geographic Experts as you travel from Machu Picchu to Marrakech. Explore the architectural marvels of Angkor, Petra, and the Taj Mahal; encounter the incredible creatures of the Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti Plain; and experience diverse cultures from the island paradise of Fiji to the verdant Himalayan valleys of Bhutan—all in one extraordinary expedition.

Experts

A team of National Geographic Experts will accompany this trip, including a National Geographic Photography Expert. See our website for experts and full bios on all Around the World by Private Jet departures.

ITINERARY | 24 DAYS

MARCH 10–APRIL 2, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.

DAY 1

Your unforgettable journey begins in the nation’s capital with a welcome dinner at your historic hotel just steps from the White House.

The Hay-Adams

CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU, OR TRUJILLO, PERU

DAYS 2, 3, AND 4

Fly by private jet to Lima, and board a charter flight to charming Cusco (11,200 feet). Here, meet National Geographic Explorer and master Andean weaver Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, who has helped revive traditional Peruvian textiles. Then join National Geographic Explorer Peter Frost or one of his colleagues for a talk on his archaeological expeditions in Peru. Spend a day exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (8,000 feet), rediscovered in 1911 and excavated with support from the National Geographic Society. Examine the site’s breathtakingly precise stone architecture, and learn about the Inca’s innovative engineering feats. Alternatively, head to the northwestern coast to visit the archaeological site of Trujillo, once home to the Chimú and Moche civilizations. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, or Wyndham Costa del Sol Trujillo, and Belmond Miraflores Park

EASTER ISLAND, CHILE

DAYS 5 AND 6

Fly to Easter Island, located 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile. Explore the island’s ancient ruins, and delve into the mystery surrounding its colossal moai statues with resident archaeologists Edmundo Edwards, Patricia Vargas Casanova, and Claudio Cristino. Visit the stone village of Orongo, the ceremonial center of the intriguing Birdman cult, and enjoy a traditional performance by the Kari Kari dance troupe.

Nayara Hangaroa

CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE/ DENARAU ISLAND, FIJI

DAYS 7 AND 8

From Easter Island, we continue our journey across the Pacific, crossing the international date line. We lose a day in route, and arrive in Fiji the following evening for overnight and morning sightseeing in this beautiful country in the South Pacific. In the morning, enjoy a Nadi heritage tour where you and your guide will travel past rolling sugar cane fields and local villages to the historic town of Viseisei, where the first Fijians landed. After a tour of the village, set off for the Sleeping Giant Orchid Gardens, a vast botanical park that is home to more than 2,000 varieties of orchids. Next, visit the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere before a stop for morning tea, where you can spend time chatting with the locals at the Fijian market. Fiji Sheraton Beach and Golf Resort or InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

GREAT BARRIER REEF OR DAINTREE RAINFOREST, AUSTRALIA

DAYS 9 AND 10

Encounter the legendary Great Barrier Reef, spanning more than 1,200 miles of islands and coral reefs. Meet National Geographic Explorer Dr. Jamie Seymour or one of his colleagues for an introduction to this fragile and biologically rich UNESCO World Heritage site. Then set out on a privately chartered vessel to explore the reef in a variety of ways. Explore the undersea in a semi-submersible, go snorkeling, and sit down to a lunch at sea. Or head into the Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide to discover natural wonders and ancient culture within the oldest rainforest on Earth.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

ANGKOR OR BENG MEALEA, CAMBODIA

DAYS 11 AND 12

Our next flight brings us to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, the 10th-century capital of the Khmer Empire. Explore Angkor’s vast temple complex, or the lost jungle temple of Beng Mealea. Then opt to participate in a Cambodian cooking class. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cambodian music, and dance during a private dinner on the grounds of a magnificent temple.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

KATHMANDU, NEPAL AND PARO, BHUTAN

DAYS 13, 14, AND 15

Fly by private jet to Kathmandu. Visit Bodhnath, Nepal’s largest stupa, and the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Then take a private charter flight to Paro (7,200 feet), and settle into a stunning hotel. Meet monks at the fortified monastery of Paro Dzong, and join locals at a festival attended by masked dancers and a high-ranking lama. Opt for a vigorous hike up to the legendary Taktsang Lhakhang, or Tiger’s Nest Temple (10,240 feet), which clings to a cliff high above the valley floor. Or travel to the capital city of Thimphu (7,900 feet) to see one of the largest sitting Buddhas in the world, and view thangkas and other traditional arts at the Royal Textile Academy.

Dwarika’s Hotel; Zhiwa Ling Heritage

PETRA, JORDAN

DAYS 20 AND 21

Land in Aqaba, Jordan, and continue overland to ancient Petra, the abandoned capital of the Nabataean civilization that is half-built, half-carved into red sandstone cliffs. Wander through the spectacular Siq to the Treasury; and discover the royal tombs, houses, and Monastery of this intriguing city. Gather for a festive dinner, and Bedouin folklore performance. If you wish, rise early the next day to visit Siq al-Barid, known as “Little Petra,” a smaller Nabataean site that harbors rare frescos left by this enigmatic culture.

Mövenpick Resort Petra

MARRAKECH OR ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO

TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA

DAYS 16 AND 17

Return to Kathmandu by charter flight, and continue by private jet to Agra. Check in to your hotel, which offers a view of the Taj Mahal from every room. Encounter this iconic monument to love up close, strolling its serene gardens, and examining its exquisite architecture and artistry. Later, visit Agra Fort, or join local youth on a walk to the city’s lesser known monuments. Instead of the Taj Mahal, visit the red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, and the stunning tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, also referred to as the “Baby Taj.”

The Oberoi Amarvilas

SERENGETI PLAIN OR NGORONGORO CRATER, TANZANIA

DAYS 18 AND 19

Fly to Tanzania, and continue by light aircraft to one of two wilderness areas. Head deep into the savanna on safari in Serengeti National Park, one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations; or descend into Ngorongoro Crater, a massive caldera that harbors some 25,000 animals, including endangered black rhinos. National Geographic Explorer at Large Louise Leakey, another Leakey family member, or one of their colleagues joins us to discuss the family’s historic fossil finds.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, or andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

DAYS 22 AND 23

Fly by private jet to marvelous Marrakech. Venture into the bustling medina, and visit palaces and tombs to admire splendid Moroccan architecture, mosaics, and carvings. Stroll through the lush Majorelle Gardens, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. See artisans at work in the medina, and soak up the lively local atmosphere of Djemaa el-Fna square, where snake charmers, magicians, and musicians entertain passersby. Alternatively, head into the Atlas Mountains to experience Amazigh (Berber) culture, stopping for tea in a local home, and eating a traditional lunch. On the last evening, toast your extraordinary adventure at a celebratory farewell dinner.

La Mamounia

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.

DAY 24

Following breakfast, return by private jet to Washington, D.C., and connect with your commercial flight home. If you wish, enjoy complimentary accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Dulles this evening.

INFORMATION

Your Trip Makes A Difference

The National Geographic Society funds research, conservation, and exploration, including archaeological excavations at an Inca ritual site near Cusco; a study on the response of the Great Barrier Reef to environmental stress; and numerous programs of the Big Cats Initiative, including the protection of endangered lions and cheetahs in Tanzania.

March 10–April 2, 2024

COST

DATES 2024: FROM $96,995

Price is per person, double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Transportation by private Boeing 757 and other conveyance, as noted in the itinerary, is included in the expedition cost. Airfare to and from Washington, D.C. is not included in the price. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are protected by a surety bond. This trip will be operated by National Geographic Expeditions on flights operated by Icelandair. For Terms and Conditions, and Operator-Participant Contract, visit nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/terms/private-jet/ atw-mar-04-2024/ for 2024 departures, and pages 30–31 of this catalog for select 2024 departures.

Around the World by Private Jet will be operated on a Boeing 757 customized for 75 guest travelers in two-by-two, VIP-style seats. Visit our website, or call for details.