Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- Disney Vacation Club Member Special Offer: Save Up to $500 on Select 2023 Departures
For a limited time, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save on select 2023 Signature Land and River Cruise departures. Book by July 24, 2023 for travel between June 2023 and December 2023 and enjoy savings on trips to amazing destinations throughout the world:
Save $350 per person on select 2023 North America Signature Land itineraries:
Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords
- August 30, 2023
- September 6, 2023
Canadian Rockies by Rail and Trail
- September 18, 2023
Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation
- October 10, 2023
- November 7, 2023
- December 5, 2023
Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks
- June 3, 2023
- September 23, 2023
- October 7, 2023
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
- June 10 & 23, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 International Signature Land itineraries:
- September 16, 2023
- December 4 & 28, 2023
Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy
- June 19 & 30, 2023
- July 21, 2023
Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France
- June 1 & 8, 2023
- September 14 & 28, 2023
Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Whales
- June 28, 2023
- July 20 & 27, 2023
- August 19, 2023
- September 3 & 15, 2023
Ireland: Tales and Traditions of the Emerald Isle
- June 29, 2023
- August 31, 2023
- September 21, 2023
Italy: Renaissance Cities and Tuscan Life
- June 14, 2023
- October 18, 2023
On Safari: Exploring Wildlife Conservation in Kenya
- June 2, 2023
- July 9, 2023
- August 11, 2023
- September 30, 2023
- December 4, 2023
Morocco Photography Expedition
- September 16, 2023
Morocco: Legendary Cities and the Sahara
- October 7 & 21, 2023
New Zealand From North to South
- October 13, 2023
- December 29, 2023
- June 4 & 18, 2023
- July 16, 2023
- August 13, 2023
On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration
- August 16, 2023
- September 2 & 20, 2023
- December 27, 2023
Palau: Snorkeling and Kayaking the Pristine Seas
- October 16, 2023
- November 12, 2023
Remembering D-Day: London to the Normandy Beaches
- June 1, 2023
Scotland Hiking Adventure: From the Highlands to Islands
- July 15 & 22, 2023
- August 5 & 19, 2023
Southern Africa Safari by Private Air
- August 30, 2023
- December 28, 2023
Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago
- June 16, 2023
- September 15, 22 & 29, 2023
- October 6, 2023
Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District
- June 4 & 25, 2023
- July 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2023
- August 13, 2023
The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future
- November 11, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: Ancient Temples and Natural Wonders
- October 14, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 River Cruise itineraries:
Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 9, 2023
Rhine River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
- September 18, 2023
Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 7, 2023
Take advantage of this National Geographic Expeditions 2023 Offer for Disney Vacation Club Members by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Advisor or booking online with the Offer Code: DVCNGE23
Important Information
- Book by July 24, 2023
- Offer is good for select itineraries and dates only
- This is a cash-only offer; Members cannot use Disney Vacation Club Points or a combination of points and cash
- Offer is for new booking only
- Offer availability is limited for each departure
- May not be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions
- Not all stateroom categories are available for booking; not valid for Suites
Between May 23 and July 24, 2023, Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) Members who book select National Geographic Expeditions itineraries save: (1) $350 off per person on select North America Land departures; or (2) $500 off per person on select International Land and River Cruise departures. Offer valid only for select departures between June and December 2023, and offer availability is limited for each departure. The per-person savings is taken from the non-discounted prevailing rate for each departure as quoted on the date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates are based on double occupancy, vary depending on departure date and time of booking, and are subject to change. Travel must be booked 30 - 60 days prior to applicable departure date, depending on the itinerary. Not applicable to deposit, baggage fees, extensions, or airfare. Not all stateroom categories are available for booking, and the offer is not valid for Suites. Availability of the offer is subject to confirmation at time of booking and paying the standard trip deposit. Any courtesy hold, without payment of the standard deposit, will not guarantee availability of the offer for the selected departure date. Offer valid for new, cash bookings only; not valid for bookings with points or a combination of cash and points. Subject to availability at the time of booking. May not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. Offer not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Not valid for group bookings. A limited number of staterooms of certain categories are available for the promotion. Offer valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada (except for Quebec where the offer is only available to travel agents). Void where prohibited. Offer is subject to restrictions and conditions and may change without notice. Bookings subject to restrictions and trip standard terms and conditions. Disney Vacation Club Members can book by calling National Geographic Expeditions directly. To receive these discounts, Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit subject to change or termination. Members should refer to the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement for more information or visit disneyvacationclub.com.
Available Departures- Oct 14-30, 2023
- Dec 30, 2023 - Jan 15, 2024
- Limited Time Offer – Returning Guests Save on Select Trips!
For a limited time, past National Geographic Expeditions travelers can save on their next exciting trip! Book by May 31, 2023 and save $500 per person on select departures. Take advantage of this special offer by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Agent or booking online with code BPOSL24.
Available Departures- Oct 14-30, 2023
- Dec 30, 2023 - Jan 15, 2024
- Explore the World Heritage site of Angkor with a local archaeologist, and take a private tour of Angkor National Museum, exploring the history of the Khmer empire.
- Meet a former Viet Cong soldier and hear gripping stories about the Vietnam War and life in the famed Cu Chi Tunnels.
- Cruise among the floating markets and lush delta landscapes of Cai Be and Can Tho, and glide in sampans between the karst cliffs of Ninh Binh.
- Encounter critically endangered species at Save Vietnam’s Wildlife rescue center in Cuc Phuong National Park, and hear from local conservationists about National Geographic-funded research into pangolin trafficking.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Delve into the treasures of Southeast Asia, where rural villages, ancient temples, and French colonial cities weave a cultural mosaic that is vibrant and timeless. Contrast Ho Chi Minh City’s neon-lit streets with charming, traditional Hanoi and its intoxicating Old Quarter; then set out into the Vietnamese countryside to discover the spectacular karst landscapes of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. Hear about National Geographic Grantee projects working to conserve endangered wildlife in Vietnam and Laos, and join an archaeologist to explore the ancient, crumbling temples at mystical Angkor.
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to our hotel.
Spend the day exploring Ho Chi Minh City on a guided tour. Visit the War Remnants Museum; wander the stately Reunification Palace, once the seat of the South Vietnamese government; and spot the building from which U.S. citizens were evacuated by helicopter as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese army. Admire the ornate French colonial architecture of the Central Post Office and City Hall, and delve into bustling Ben Thanh market, one of the oldest and largest in the country. Navigate stalls selling everything from electronics and handbags to fruits and spices, and replenish yourself with a tumbler of fresh sugarcane juice. Later, gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Descend into the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a 155-mile (250 km) network of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels connected schools, residents, and hospitals, creating an intricate subterranean city that played an instrumental role in the eventual victory of the North Vietnamese. After emerging from the bunkers, meet with a Viet Cong veteran, and hear extraordinary tales of the war.
Travel to the market town of Cai Be on the Mekong Delta. Here, step aboard a sampan, a flat-bottomed wooden boat, and cruise to the island of Tan Phong, taking in views of life along the Mekong River. Go ashore for a short bike ride through the villages and fruit orchards of Tan Phong, stopping along the way to visit cottage industries where families produce a range of interesting goods, from roof panels made from coconut fronds to homeware crafted out of water hyacinths. Glide in small boats through narrow canals back to our sampan, and continue our voyage to the village of Phu An in the Mekong Delta. Disembark in time for lunch in an elegant colonial-style villa. After a short walk, travel to Can Tho and check in to our resort.
Awaken early for a visit to Cai Rang, the most famous floating market of the Mekong Delta. As we float along the waterways in local boats, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the colorful bustle of the market, where hundreds of local farmers and merchants sell their fruits and other produce from wooden skiffs. Venture through narrow canals to a noodle shop to see how traditional rice noodles are produced. This afternoon, fly to the former imperial capital of Hue.
Strategically located between North and South Vietnam, Hue was the seat of the powerful Nguyen family beginning in the 1500s and served as the cultural and political capital of unified Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. Set off down the evocative Perfume (Huong) River aboard a dragon boat, cruising past the imperial city to the sacred Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit this seven-story symbol of Vietnam, originally built in 1601, and then explore the lavish tombs of two Nguyen emperors: Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Hear the intriguing histories of these two men, whose reigns coincided with France’s colonial rule, and note the fusion of Vietnamese and European design in Khai Dinh’s tomb. After lunch, venture into the Purple Forbidden City, constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the early 19th century. Located in the Citadel of Hue’s Imperial City, it was badly damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968.
Fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Stroll tree-lined boulevards past serene lakes and charming pagodas, as you acquaint yourself with this atmospheric city. See the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh on a visit to the imposing mausoleum erected in his honor. Soak up the lively Old Quarter, where vendors hawk all manner of trinkets and the sizzle of roadside woks mingles with the beeping of motorbikes whizzing by. Finish the afternoon with draft beers at a local makeshift street bar.
Take a meditative walk around Ngoc Son Temple, set in the middle of an emerald-green lake. Sip on a Vietnamese iced coffee, and sample a mouthwatering banh mi—a spicy sandwich served in a split baguette. Continue your exploration of the eclectic Old Quarter, moving from the Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral to a colonial-era prison, known by American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton. Stop at the 11th-century Temple of Literature, which includes the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first university; and visit the sprawling Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, historic seat of the Vietnamese monarchy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Venture south from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, an unusual karst landscape of vertical green hills and dazzling rice fields in the Red River Delta. Here we’ll be joined by National Geographic grantee Le Khac Quyet, a leading Vietnamese wildlife biologist and avid photographer who will share updates on his latest research. Hop aboard a sampan, paddling past lush paddies and towering limestone cliffs. Later, explore the Van Long Nature Reserve by bamboo rowboat. Spot scores of bird species as you drift along the peaceful, grassy wetland, and search for the endangered Delacour’s langur in one the primate’s last wild refuges.
Spend the day in the misty, lush Cuc Phuong National Park, the oldest and largest natural reserve in Vietnam. Meet the director of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center for a behind-the-scenes tour. Visit the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife rescue center, where orphaned and injured pangolins, civets, mongooses, and other small carnivores are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild. Learn about a project to reduce the demand for pangolins, the world’s most trafficked animal, spearheaded by the center’s founder: National Geographic Explorer Thai Van Nguyen.
Begin the day with a morning cruise by sampan through the stunning landscapes of Tam Coc. Then explore the cave temples of Bich Dong pagoda and the serene 13th-century Thai Vi temple, surrounded by beautiful scenery. This afternoon, transfer to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi for our flight to Laos. Upon arrival, check in to our boutique hotel in Luang Prabang and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Experience enchanting Luang Prabang, nestled into jungle-covered hills at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. Visit the area’s most revered Buddhist temple, and stop by the National Museum—formerly the Royal Palace—to see the golden Prabang Buddha statue for which the town is said to be named. Later, immerse yourself in a graceful baci ceremony at the home of a village chief. In this uniquely Laotian ritual, cotton cords are tied around the participants’ wrists to wish them good fortune, health, and prosperity.
Venture south of Luang Prabang for a glimpse of rural Laos. Hike to the ethereal Kuang Si Waterfall, where milky blue water gushes into tiered limestone pools. Enjoy a cookout lunch prepared by locals from fresh ingredients. Later, see endangered Asiatic black bears at the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, and hear from a conservationist about National Geographic-funded studies on the threats faced by these gentle animals.
Rise at dawn to witness the age-old Laotian tradition of Tak Bat, the daily almsgiving to Buddhist monks. Watch as hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk quietly through the streets collecting offerings of rice, fruit, and flowers from the smiling locals. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before flying to Siem Reap.
Rise early to watch the sunrise over the spires of the mesmerizing Angkor Wat temple complex, originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and now a sacred site of Cambodian Buddhism. Delve into the magnificent World Heritage Site of Angkor with an archaeologist as your guide. Built in the first half of the 12th century in the depths of the Cambodian jungle, the mysterious capital of the Khmer Empire is replete with massive towers, carved murals, and enchanting crumbled courtyards. At the walled city of Angkor Thom, wander the Bayon temple and the Terrace of the Elephants, or explore the haunting Ta Prohm, tangled in thick banyan roots. Take a private tour of the Angkor National Museum with a local archaeologist, gaining insight into the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the Khmer civilization.
Set out for the floating village of Kampong Khleang and drift down in a wooden boat to the great Tonle Sap lake, discovering a boisterous floating city complete with markets, clinics, schools, and even basketball courts and karaoke bars. Later, visit Banteay Srei, an exquisite 10th-century Hindu temple north of Angkor Wat, before heading to the Golden Silk Pheach Preservation Center, a Cambodian NGO working to preserve ancient Khmer silk production techniques. Gather for our farewell reception, and take in a traditional Cambodian dance and music performance over dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Siem Reap International Airport (REP) and catch your flight home.