Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- 2024 Signature Land Early Booking Offer
For a limited time, National Geographic Expeditions travelers can save on exciting Signature Land trips to North America and around the world. Book by September 5, 2023 and enjoy the following offers:
- Save $400 per person on select 2024 North America Signature Land itineraries
- Save $500 per person on select 2024 international Signature Land itineraries
Take advantage of these limited-time savings by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Advisor or booking online with the Offer Code: SLEBR24.
This offer has limited availability, so reserve your trip soon!
Important Details
- Trip must be booked by September 5, 2023 to take advantage of this offer
- Booking begins June 7, 2023
- Offer is limited to 4 guests per departure
- Offer excludes Jordan and Petra Extensions
- Valid on select Signature Land itineraries only
- Valid on new bookings only
- Available for online booking with the Offer Code: SLEBR24
- Offer is not combinable with any existing offers, discounts or promotions
- Offer availability is limited for each departure
- Disney Vacation Club Member Exchange: At least one person in the traveling party must book with Reservation Points when exchanging through Member Services.
Between June 7 and September 5, 2023, book select National Geographic Expeditions Signature Land itineraries and save: (1) $400 off per person on select North America Land departures; or (2) $500 off per person on select International Land departures. Valid only on select departures with travel start dates between January and December 2024. 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. Offer availability is limited for each departure. Travel must be booked 30 days prior to applicable departure date. Not applicable to deposit or extensions. Qualifying itineraries have an offer designation on the Special Offers box of the itinerary page on https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/. Any offer designations may not reflect real-time offer availability. 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. Valid for new bookings only. 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. Offer valid for residents of the US 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.
Available Departures- Oct 11-22, 2024
- 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 13-24, 2023
- Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 9, 2024
- Witness the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and immerse yourself in Māori lore and legend on a visit to a tribal village.
- Seek out rare endemic bird and reptile species with an expert guide on Tiritiri Matangi Island and hear about the island’s conservation success.
- Cruise the serene waters of the stunning Milford Sound, keeping an eye out for the resident seals, dolphins and penguins.
- Take an exclusive tour of the Weta Workshop, the special effects studio behind blockbuster Hollywood movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar and more.
Itinerary
Itinerary
In New Zealand, epic landscapes brim with geological drama and harbor the rich cultural heritage of the Māori, who have inhabited the islands for hundreds of years. Venture from the bucolic North Island to the Southern Alps, where soaring peaks unfurl into majestic fjords, and witness age-old Māori traditions in the midst of a volcanic wonderland. Encounter a wealth of unusual creatures in subtropical wildlife sanctuaries, and discover vibrant lakeside cities that tell the stories of the diverse peoples that call this Pacific nation home.
Arrive at the Auckland Airport (AKL) and transfer to your downtown hotel. Discover the highlights of this multicultural city on a guided walking tour and enjoy a welcome dinner near the waterfront this evening.
Board a ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island, home to one of New Zealand’s most important wildlife sanctuaries. Learn about the island’s remarkable conservation efforts, including a volunteer-led reforestation program and the eradication of invasive species; and seek out some of the country’s fascinating birds and reptiles, such as the red-crowned parakeet and Duvaucel’s gecko. With luck, you might even spot the rare flightless takahe and the tuatara—an ancient creature dubbed a “living fossil” by scientists. Savor a picnic lunch on the island before returning to the mainland. This evening, enjoy free time to discover Auckland, known as the “city of sails” for the many sailboats that teem in its harbor.
Depart for Rotorua, known for its dramatic geothermal landscapes and thriving Māori community. Stop en route at the spectacular glowworm caves of Waitomo, and float through this otherworldly subterranean realm on a private boat, enveloped in the turquoise light of thousands of tiny glowworms. After lunch, continue to Rotorua. Settle into your comfortable lakeside hotel, then gather for dinner.
Join a local guide for an exploration of Te Puia—the ancestral homeland of the Te Arawa tribe and a geothermal park. Tread past boiling springs and bubbling mud pools and encounter the massive Pohutu Geyser, which erupts approximately every hour. Visit the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, dedicated to preserving traditional Māori art forms; and observe master carvers teaching their craft at the National Wood Carving School. Then immerse yourself in Māori culture in Ohinemutu village. Our hosts will greet us with a mihi whakatau (welcome speech), then give us a tour of the village as they share captivating tales of their ancestors’ journey to New Zealand from Polynesia more than 6 centuries ago.
After breakfast, fly to Wellington, New Zealand’s charming capital city. Visit the impressive Te Papa Tongarewa national museum for an exclusive tour and see an exquisitely carved wharenui, the oldest surviving Māori meeting house in the country. Then step into Bush City, the museum’s unique outdoor exhibit, for a look at specimens of New Zealand’s diverse foliage and fascinating geological features. Continue to “the Beehive,” the innovatively designed executive wing of New Zealand’s parliament. Learn about the country’s system of governance as you explore the parliamentary complex and perhaps get a chance to meet with local politicians.
Please note: On the New Year’s departure, due to New Zealand’s parliament not being in session, “the Beehive” tour will be replaced with a scenic cable car ride through Wellington’s hillside neighborhoods, followed by a visit to the Botanic Garden.
Visit the famous Weta Workshop, the special effects group that worked on Avatar and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for a behind-the-scenes tour of their design studio. Later, venture to Zealandia, an extraordinary urban wildlife sanctuary whose predator-proof fencing was the first of its kind in the world. Stroll picturesque pathways alongside a private guide, spying dozens of species of endemic birds, reptiles and amphibians—many of which were reintroduced here after more than a hundred years.
In the morning, fly to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and ringed by the Southern Alps. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to rugged Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Explore the cozy, mountain-framed town at your leisure this evening or relax and enjoy the views from your lakefront hotel.
Discover Fiordland National Park, home to nearly three million acres of verdant, glacially carved wilderness. Walk through the beech forest of remote Hollyford Valley, then embark on a cruise through Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Glide past cascading waterfalls and sharply hewn cliffs, while keeping watch for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and little blue penguins.
Return to Queenstown and drive into the idyllic, tussock-covered countryside of Central Otago. Enjoy lunch and sample the region’s award-winning wines at a local winery; then explore the quaint streets of Arrowtown, a historic mining settlement where thousands of Chinese immigrants worked during the late 19th-century Otago Gold Rush. Back in Queenstown—often called the “adventure capital of the world”—hit the shallow waters of the Shotover River on an adrenaline-filled jet boat ride through rocky canyons.
Venture to Mt. Nicholas Station, a historic farmstead nestled amid snowcapped peaks and rolling meadows at the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Cruise the sapphire-blue waters of the lake on a catamaran, taking in delightful views of The Remarkables mountain range. Disembark at the secluded farm where you'll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a working sheep and cattle ranch. Then, sit down to enjoy a traditional ploughman’s lunch before heading back to Queenstown.
Visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, a family-run sanctuary in the heart of the city, that is the home to more than 20 species of native wildlife. Join a zoologist for a private tour of the park, encountering brightly colored parakeets, majestic falcons and the kiwi—an emblematic icon of New Zealand. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Queenstown, then gather for a farewell dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Queenstown Airport (ZQN) and catch your flight home.