SIMON WINCHESTER

Best-selling author of Krakatoa, The Professor and the Madman, and The Fracture Zone, Simon Winchester studied geology at Oxford. He has written about the Amur River for National Geographic magazine, the South Pacific for a National Geographic book, and a voyage on a Russian tramp steamer from Antarctica to England for National Geographic Adventure magazine. Simon recently completed A Crack in the Edge of the World, the dramatic story of the great San Francisco earthquake. He is an entertaining lecturer with as many tales as stamps in his passport.

JOHAN REINHARD

Archaeologist Johan Reinhard is currently an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. Dr. Reinhard’s recoveries of the Inca Ice Maiden on Ampato (20,700 feet), Peru, and of three perfectly preserved mummies at 22,110 feet on Llullaillaco, the world’s highest archaeological site, were featured in the National Geographic magazine. Each was chosen by Time magazine as among the world’s ten most important scientific discoveries of the year. Johan will accompany the first half of the trip.

JOHN FAHEY

John Fahey, President and CEO of National Geographic Society, joined the Society in 1996. John has spearheaded the launches of the National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Adventure and Explorer magazines, the international expansion of National Geographic magazine, and the relaunch of National Geographic Expeditions. John's travels have taken him to many of the places National Geographic has covered in its magazines and on television, from Africa to the Middle East and Latin America. John will accompany the second half of the trip.

March 17 Washington, D.C.
Enjoy a reception at National Geographic Society headquarters, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Mayflower Hotel (D)

March 18 Lima, Peru
This morning, our private jet takes us to Lima. Enjoy a curator-led tour and special dinner at the private Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum.
Swissôtel (B,L,D)

March 19 and 20 Cusco/Machu Picchu
Fly to Cusco by local flight, then travel by train to Machu Picchu, the great ancient Inca citadel. Return by train to Cusco to explore the Plaza de Armas and the Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking the city.
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel; Hotel Monasterio (B,L,D)

March 21 and 22 Easter Island, Chile
Travel 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile to Easter Island, an open-air museum of ancient stone villages, sanctuaries, and giant statues called moai. Resident archaeologist Edmundo Edwards explores the island’s treasures with you.
Hanga Roa Hotel; Taha Tai Hotel (B,L,D)

March 23 Apia, Samoa
Visit Vailima, Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home, and lovely seaside villages, where we are welcomed with a traditional ceremony and enjoy a fiafia, a colorful performance of traditional Samoan dance and song.
Aggie Grey's Lagoon, Beach Resort and Spa (B,L,D)

March 24 Cross the International Date Line
Depart for Australia and lose a day crossing the International Date Line.
(B,L,D)

March 25 and 26 The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of coral, and more than 200 species of birds. Enjoy bird-watching, snorkeling, and swimming.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Hotel (B,L,D)

March 27 and 28 Angkor, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap and transfer to Angkor. Survey Angkor Wat's massive temple complex, and visit the royal city of Angkor Thom and the extraordinary Bayon Temple.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor (B,L,D)

March 29 Chengdu, China
Travel to Chengdu for dinner and spend the night before flying to Tibet.
Crowne Plaza Chengdu (B,L,D)

March 30 and 31 Lhasa, Tibet
Depart by local flight to Lhasa. Visit the Jokhang Temple, the region’s oldest and most revered temple, and explore the colorful Tibetan markets. The next day, visit the fabled Potala Palace and the nearly 600-year-old Sera Monastery.
Lhasa Hotel (B,L,D)

April 1 and 2 Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Return to Chengdu by local flight and continue on our private to Agra. See the majestic Taj Mahal and admire its form in the reflecting pools.
Oberoi Amarvilas (B,L,D)

April 3 and 4 Serengeti Plain, Tanzania
Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to small aircraft, which whisk us over to the Serengeti Plain. Embark on several game drives to see the great abundance of zebras, wildebeest, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other wildlife.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

April 5 and 6 Luxor/the Pyramids/the Sphinx, Egypt
Explore the wondrous Temple of Karnak, Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Queen Nefertari, and the Luxor Temple. The following day, fly to Cairo and visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Gîza.
Sonesta St. George Hotel (B,L,D)

April 7 and 8 Marrakech, Morocco
Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to our hotel. The next day, visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the tombs of the Saadian kings, and the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts. Wander the Medina and the fabled Place Djemaa el Fna. Enjoy a gala farewell dinner in a traditional Moroccan tent in the Sahara.
La Mamounia (B,L,D)

April 9 Washington, D.C.
Return to Washington, D.C., and connect with flights home.
(B)

This specially outfitted Boeing 757 is ideally suited for extraordinary expeditions. Its long-range capabilities and ability to land in smaller airports afford unmatched flexibility. We set our own schedules, flying direct and avoiding layovers, allowing us the freedom to make the most of our adventures on land. The interior has been customized and refitted to our specifications to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience, accommodating passengers in two-by-two VIP seats, instead of the standard 189 seats.

The jet is operated and maintained by Loftleidir Icelandic, a subsidiary of Icelandair, the national carrier of Iceland, internationally acclaimed for its maintenance, service, innovation, efficiency, and safety standards. Founded in 1937, Loftleidir Icelandic was one of the world’s first air carriers and currently operates a fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft to 16 international destinations. Our Loftleidir Icelandic crew oversees access to the aircraft and baggage, and every piece of luggage is screened, identified with a security tag, and strictly monitored at all times.

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