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
  • Mar 9-19, 2024
  • Apr 6-16, 2024
  • May 25-Jun 4, 2024
  • Aug 31-Sep 10, 2024
  • Oct 26-Nov 5, 2024
  • Nov 16-26, 2024
  • Dec 14-24, 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:

Borneo Wildlife Adventure

  • September 16, 2023

Exploring Patagonia

  • 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

Norway’s Trains and Fjords

  • 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
  • Nov 11-21, 2023
  • Dec 30, 2023 - Jan 9, 2024
  • Hear a unique dual narrative provided by our Israeli and Palestinian peace-builder guides, trained by National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah.
  • Explore Caesarea Maritima with geo-archaeologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beverly Goodman.
  • Meet with an environmentalist from Friends of the Earth Middle East, whose efforts to foster Arab-Jewish cooperation through environmental stewardship were featured in the April 2010 issue of National Geographic magazine.
  • In Jerusalem, get an insider’s view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an Israeli politician, then travel to the West Bank for the rare opportunity to meet with officials of the Palestinian Authority.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Holy Land on an expedition inspired by the peace-building efforts of National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. Explore the City of David and the ancient desert fortress of Masada; glide across the Sea of Galilee; and discover Jerusalem through the eyes of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Hear a broad spectrum of narratives on this program, designed in partnership with Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews.

Day 1: Tel Aviv, Israel/Jerusalem
View Photos

Arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem. Relax at the hotel before our reception and welcome dinner tonight.

Meals Included:Dinner
Accommodations:American Colony Hotel
Day 2: Jerusalem
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Begin the day on the Temple Mount, capped by the shining cupola of the Dome of the Rock. Meet an imam from the Al-Aqsa Mosque who will explain the importance of this holy site to Muslims. Then visit the Western Wall, touch the ancient stones, and meet with a rabbi to learn about the significance of this sacred place. A local pastor then joins us at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, home to six Christian sects and, according to tradition, the tomb of Jesus. In the afternoon, ascend to the top of the Mount of Olives, and take in a panoramic view of the domes, spires, and golden stones of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:American Colony Hotel
Day 3: Jerusalem
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Just outside the Old City walls lies the City of David, thought to be the original capital city established by King David some 3,000 years ago. Venture into the archaeological site and meet with its Israeli administrators; later, speak with residents of the nearby Palestinian neighborhood who oppose the excavations. Get an insider’s perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with an Israeli politician; then travel to Ramallah, where we are granted rare access to the offices of the Palestinian Authority to hear from a high-ranking politician.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations:American Colony Hotel
Day 4: Jerusalem
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Today, trace the turbulent history of the birth of the state of Israel. At Yad Vashem, Israel’s moving memorial to the Holocaust, meet with a Holocaust survivor for a personal glimpse into one of history’s darkest moments. Then travel to Ein Kerem, where Christian tradition says John the Baptist was born. An Israeli and a Palestinian guide will each tell their divergent narrative of the village’s role in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. Enjoy time to explore Jerusalem on your own. Tonight, gather for a discussion with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists from the Bereaved Families Forum.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:American Colony Hotel
Day 5: Bethlehem and the West Bank
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Travel to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc to hear the viewpoints of Israeli settlers. Continue to Bethlehem and visit Manger Square; then, at the Church of the Nativity, descend into the cave revered by many as the birthplace of Jesus. Walk through a nearby Palestinian refugee camp, and learn how murals and graffiti have been used to depict the refugees’ struggles. Our final stop is Herodion, a volcano-shaped hill and fortress built by Herod the Great. Over dinner, take in a musical performance by a group of Israeli and Palestinian musicians.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:American Colony Hotel
Day 6: Jerusalem/Jericho/Dead Sea
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This morning, meet with an environmentalist from Friends of the Earth Middle East, whose efforts to foster Arab-Jewish cooperation through environmental stewardship were featured in the special April 2010 “Water” issue of National Geographic magazine. View the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, and then drive down through the Judean Desert to Jericho to visit the archaeological site of Tel Jericho. This afternoon, continue to our hotel, located in the Ein Gedi kibbutz on the shores of the Dead Sea. Learn about the kibbutz movement before enjoying time on your own to float in the Dead Sea, wander through the hotel’s botanical garden, or enjoy an optional spa treatment.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Ein Gedi Hotel
Day 7: The Jordan River Valley/Tiberias
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Soar up the flank of Masada in a gondola and explore King Herod’s 2,000-year-old mountaintop refuge. Then follow the Jordan Valley north to the Roman city of Bet She’an to see its remarkably preserved amphitheater, baths, and column-lined streets. Along the way, stop to dip your feet in the Jordan River, where Christian pilgrims come to be baptized.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:The Scots Hotel or Bayit Bagalil Boutique Hotel
Day 8: Galilee
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Visit Caesarea Philippi, a center of worship from the Hellenic age to the early Christian era. Explore the area as you wish this afternoon: follow a scenic trail to the Banias waterfall, or enjoy a short hike through Tel Dan National Park to the ancient city of Dan. Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and preached and where many Apostles, including Peter, made their home.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:The Scots Hotel or Bayit Bagalil Boutique Hotel
Day 9: Nazareth/Jaffa/Tel Aviv
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Hear the perspective of an Israeli Arab Christian on the way to Nazareth, where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in the Middle East. On an excursion to the mountaintop village of Beit Jann, discover the secretive traditions of the Druze people, and enjoy lunch with a Druze family in their home. Travel toward the Mediterranean coast this afternoon, and explore picturesque Jaffa, a strategic port town dating back to the Bronze Age. The bustling city of Tel Aviv is our home for tonight. Enjoy dinner here on your own.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations:Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
Day 10: Caesarea Maritima/Tel Aviv
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Follow the coast north to Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s harbor city, and visit the ruins with geo-archaeologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beverly Goodman. Then enjoy a free afternoon in Tel Aviv before gathering for a farewell reception and dinner.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations:Dan Tel Aviv Hotel
Day 11: Tel Aviv
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After breakfast, transfer to the Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv and catch your flight home.

Meals Included:Breakfast

Extensions

Extensions

  • Holy Land: Petra Extension
Holy Land: Petra Extension

Post-Trip, 4 Days
Journey to Jordan and immerse yourself in the wonder and mystery of ancient Petra, delving into its elaborate buildings and tombs carved into soaring cliffs, Explore spectacular Roman ruins and cap off your trip with a festive evening in the capital city of Amman.

Day 1: Eilat/Wadi Rum/Petra

Fly from Tel Aviv to Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, situated on the sparkling Red Sea. Spend the afternoon exploring this idyllic resort town, and go swimming and snorkeling from sun-drenched beaches fringed with coral reefs. Later, a short drive through the Wadi Arabah takes us across the border into Jordan. This afternoon, explore the lunar-like landscape of Wadi Rum, where T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) stayed with Bedouin friends and allies during World War I. Discover epic sand dunes and rose-tinted mountains where Bedouin tribes still make camp. Continue to our hotel at Petra, located just a few steps from this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Mövenpick Resort Petra
Day 2: Petra

Spend a full day exploring Petra, the legendary city of the Nabataean people. Hidden in deep canyons, this remarkable site was founded more than 2,400 years ago. Enter the ancient city through its primary entrance, known as the Siq—a narrow chasm between naturally sculpted cliffs that opens to Petra's iconic Treasury. Go on a guided visit of the site, where hundreds of monuments were rediscovered only in 1812. Then enjoy time on your own to explore the Royal Tombs or the Monastery.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Mövenpick Resort Petra
Day 3: Amman

Travel north to explore the fascinating capital city of Amman. Visit the ancient hilltop Citadel, home to the iconic, Roman-era Temple of Hercules and the eighth-century Umayyad Palace. In the afternoon, meet with a local organization to learn more about the complexities and challenges of the Syrian refugee crisis, followed by dinner with a local family in their home.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations:Four Seasons Hotel Amman
Day 4: Amman/U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman and catch your flight home.

Meals Included:Breakfast