Around the World by Private Jet

Fly by private jet to Lima, where we board a local charter flight to Cusco (11,200 feet)—the gateway to Peru’s Inca heartland. The next morning, set out on a tour of this charming city. Then opt to head north into the Sacred Valley of the Inca and explore the intriguing ruins of Moray, believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory, and the terraced salt mines of Maras. If you wish, embark on a spectacular hike along a section of the Inca Trail. Meet master Andean weaver Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a National Geographic Grantee who has helped revive traditional weaving practices throughout Peru. We’ll also join National Geographic grantee Peter Frost or one of his colleagues for a talk on his archaeological expeditions in Peru, which have been featured in National Geographic magazine.

*Please note: The March 17 – April 19, 2023 departure is modified. Guests will not visit Peru, and will instead travel to Panama and Guatemala.

Fly by private jet to Easter Island, located 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile. Questions still linger about this isolated island’s ancient Polynesian society and the mysterious moai—colossal stone statues—that they left behind. Discover its ancient ruins with resident archaeologists Edmundo Edwards, Patricia Vargas Casanova, and Claudio Cristino. If you wish, rise early for a photo shoot with our National Geographic photographer, capturing the sun as it rises over this enigmatic landscape. Explore volcanic calderas, lava fields, and windswept grasslands; and delve into the theories surrounding the stone behemoths, which archaeologists believe were carved in honor of ancestors or chiefs. Visit the stone village of Orongo, the ceremonial center of the island’s intriguing Birdman cult, which was defined by a treacherous annual competition to retrieve a rare egg. Later, enjoy a splendid performance by the Kari Kari dance troupe.

*Please note: The March 17 – April 19, 2023 departure is modified. Guests will not visit Chile, and will instead travel to Guatemala, and Hawaii.

From Easter Island we continue our journey across the Pacific, crossing the international date line. We lose a day en route and arrive in Samoa the following evening.

*Please note: The March 17 – April 19, 2023 departure is modified. Guests will not visit Chile, and will instead travel to Guatemala, and Hawaii.

This idyllic island, known as “the heart of Polynesia,” is one of the few places where Polynesian culture remains little changed from ancient times. Here, you’ll find a deep reverence for hospitality, tradition, and community (known as fa’a Samoa, or “the Samoan way”). Check in to our beachfront hotel set within lush gardens, and take in dazzling views of the Pacific. Enjoy a memorable introduction to the island during a fiafia—a lively performance of Samoan dance and song. The next day, opt to spend time at a local women’s cooperative or visit the former homestead of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, now a museum dedicated to the final years of his life.

Fly to Cairns and transfer to the seaside town of Port Douglas. Here, we have an opportunity to explore the unparalleled marine ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef—spanning more than 1,200 miles of islands, submerged reefs, and vast expanses of coral, it is one of the most biologically rich places on the planet. Experience this UNESCO World Heritage site aboard a privately chartered vessel, accompanied by a marine biologist. Snorkel among rainbow-colored corals with schools of unicorn fish, surgeonfish, bumphead parrotfish, and sea turtles. In the evening, enjoy a talk from a marine biologist.

Alternative: Instead of exploring the Great Barrier Reef, discover the natural wonders of the Daintree Rainforest—a place of staggering biodiversity and beauty that is estimated to be 180 million years old. The Earth’s oldest rainforest is home to the greatest diversity of plants and animals found anywhere in Australia. Explore this World Heritage site and its Aboriginal culture on a walk through the forest with local guides.

Fly by private jet to Siem Reap, our base for exploring the stunning Angkor temple complex, once the capital of the Khmer Empire. One of civilization’s greatest architectural achievements, this vast temple complex spans some 500 acres. Spend a morning exploring Angkor Wat’s soaring towers, carved murals, and courtyards, which reflect the ambition and ingenuity of the Khmer dynasty. In the afternoon, opt to delve into Cambodian cuisine during a hands-on cooking class. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cambodian music and dance during a private dinner on the grounds of a magnificent temple.

Alternative:
If you have already visited Angkor Wat, enjoy a half-day excursion to the lost jungle temple of Beng Mealea, one of the largest Khmer temples.

A local charter flight brings us to Bhutan, the world's only Mahayana Buddhist kingdom. Arrive in Paro (7,200 feet), which lies at the center of a sweeping valley, and settle into our stunning hotel nestled in the hills outside of town.

Take in gorgeous Himalayan vistas as you explore Paro's highlights, including the Paro Dzong, where we will meet resident monks and learn about their daily lives. In the evening, join locals for a cultural festival, attended by masked dancers and a high-ranking lama.

The following day, you may choose to go on a vigorous hike up to the the cliff-side Taktsang Lhakhang, or Tiger’s Nest Temple (10,200 feet)—Bhutan’s most famous pilgrimage site.

Alternatively, spend the day exploring Thimphu (7,900 feet), the capital of Bhutan. On a city tour, pay a visit to the Royal Textile Academy to see thangkas and traditional Bhutanese clothing, and gaze up at one of the largest seated statues of Buddha in the world.

Fly back to Kathmandu by local charter flight then continue to Agra by private jet. Check in to our luxurious hotel, offering views of the Taj Mahal from every room. This afternoon, you may explore the sandstone Agra Fort, a maze of palaces, courtyards, mosques, and private chambers modified by Mughal rulers over hundreds of years. Or you may choose to join local youth on a heritage walk to Agra’s lesser known monuments—part of a project to improve livelihoods in disadvantaged communities.

If you wish, join our National Geographic photographer to capture images of the Taj Mahal during an early morning photo shoot. Then take a guided tour of the Taj, the most iconic site in all of India. Explore the palace’s exquisite construction and serene garden, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. In the afternoon, encounter the exquisite tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah—also referred to as the “baby Taj”—the first Mughal structure in India made entirely from marble. Or visit the tomb of Akbar, one of the most famous Mughal emperors, and examine this architectural marvel built of red sandstone inlaid with white marble.

Alternative: On a half-day excursion, visit the impressive red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, once a Mughal capital and now a World Heritage site. Founded in 1569 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, this renowned site—which blends both Muslim and Hindu architectural styles—reveals a vast complex of royal homes and pavilions, elegant courtyards and grand gateways, as well as a beautiful mosque.

Fly by private jet to Kilimanjaro International Airport and continue by private charter aircraft to Serengeti National Park. One of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, the Serengeti Plain is home to the legendary "big five"—rhinoceroses, lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffalo. Head out across the savanna on game drives to witness Africa’s greatest concentration of wildebeests and zebras. During our stay, meet National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Louise Leakey or one of her colleagues to hear about the many important fossil discoveries made by the Leakey family in the region. Celebrate our visit with a traditional singing and dancing performance.

Alternative: Instead of exploring the Serengeti, travel by private charter aircraft to the Ngorongoro Crater (8,000 feet), where volcanic slopes shelter more than 25,000 animals. Spend your time on safari with local guides, and in the evening, return to your luxury villa perched on the crater’s rim. Meet National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Louise Leakey or one of her colleagues for a private tour of Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family discovered Homo habilis on a National Geographic–sponsored expedition. Enjoy a bush lunch on the floor of the crater.
Alternative Accommodations: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Petra, the once thriving capital of the Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans, is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Situated between Arabia, Egypt, and the Levant, it was an important crossroads of trade before the city was mysteriously abandoned in the seventh century. Half-built, half-carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs, Petra was left to the winds and sands until it was rediscovered in 1812. Excavations of the city continue today, and include the pioneering work of National Geographic Fellow Sarah Parcak, who has used satellite imagery and aerial drone photography to document a long-unknown structure twice the length of a tennis court and six times as wide at the site.

Enter the city through the Siq—a narrow, winding gorge flanked by towering sandstone walls—and arrive at the Treasury, the most iconic of Petra’s sites. Then set off to explore royal tombs and temples that were chiseled from rock some 2,000 years ago. Encounter members of the local Bedouin community, nomadic Arabs who have inhabited the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa for centuries. Learn more about their traditions tonight, when we gather for a festive dinner accompanied by a Bedouin folklore performance.

*Please note that the accommodations for the February 19 – March 14, 2023 departure will be updated to the Petra Marriott Hotel.

Set out on a morning tour of Marrakech, Morocco’s legendary “pearl of the South.” Examine historic Moroccan architecture at the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa and the splendid Koutoubia Mosque, and opt to visit the exquisitely carved Bahia Palace. Then venture further into the labyrinthine streets of the medina—a World Heritage site lined with market stalls and craftspeople. 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. Later, stroll amid exotic plants in the lush Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

Alternative: Instead of exploring Marrakech, venture into the Atlas Mountains—the highest mountain range in North Africa, which presents a dramatic contrast to the surrounding desert. Take in sweeping views of this enduring terrain, known for its deep gorges, dense forests, and Berber villages. Experience Berber traditions while sipping mint tea and soaking up the timeless atmosphere of rural Morocco. In the evening, rejoin the group in Marrakech for a farewell dinner celebrating our adventure.

Following breakfast, fly by private jet to Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, you may connect with your commercial flight home; or, if you wish, we will provide complimentary accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Dulles for the night.