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Past ExpeditionsMarch 12-April 1, 2011 Full--call for last-minute openings
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Meet fellow travelers and the expedition staff at a welcome dinner in London. Please note that most travelers from the U.S. will need to take an overnight flight departing March 11 in order to arrive in time for the expedition.
The Dorchester, London
Our expedition will donate funds to the Family Holiday Association, which makes it possible for London’s financially and socially disadvantaged families with young children to experience a vacation.
We board our private jet and fly to the Arctic outpost of Karasjok, which lies at the heart of one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Europe, and is a regional center of the Sami people. Most likely the oldest surviving inhabitants of the Scandinavian Peninsula, the Sami are famous for their semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle centered on reindeer husbandry. Observe everyday Sami life in town, where Samediggi, the Sami Parliament, opened in 1989 and more than 80% of the residents speak Sami. See traditional Sami dwellings, including a lavvu (a teepee-like tent) and gamme (a turf hut). Unwind in a traditional Sami sauna. Savor a fire-roasted dinner of traditional Sami cuisine while enjoying the unique melodies of a Sami joiking performance, the unforgettable yodel-like singing of historical poems. And, if you wish, visit Samediggi to learn about the political goals of this unique community or visit with a Sami family at a reindeer farm.
Rica Hotel Karasjok
Our expedition will help support folk artists who create delicate and detailed rosemaling, a flower painting style that originated in Norway’s rural communities
Today we board our private jet bound for Armenia, a nation with more than 3,000 years of history, and the first to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301 A.D. Aboard our private jet, enjoy a magnificent aerial view of the beloved Mount Ararat (weather permitting), before landing in Yerevan in the evening.
The next morning, visit the 4th-century Geghard Monastery, a fantastic example of medieval Armenian architecture, complete with rock-hewn chapels and monks’ cells. And see Armenia’s only Greco-Roman structure, Garni Temple, with views of the wildly scenic Garni Gorge. Then go to Vagharshapat to explore one of the world’s first churches, the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
In the afternoon, enjoy your choice of two options: Visit the National History Museum to see archaeological collections from the Stone Age through the medieval period, or visit the National Art Gallery to peruse marvelous collections of Armenian paintings, miniatures, and frescoes.
Marriott Yerevan
Our expedition will donate supplies to the school at the Pyunic Association for the Disabled in Yerevan, and purchase traditional wooden crafts made by its students.
We board our private jet and fly to the legendary land of Genghis Khan, who conquered most of Central and East Asia with his formidable horsemen in the thirteenth century. Relatively unchanged since then, Mongolia is home to one of the last remaining horse-based nomadic cultures in the world. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, we are welcomed with a private banquet accompanied by a special performance by Mongolian throat singers.
The next day, visit the renowned Gandan Monastery and take a quiet moment to observe the Buddhist monks chanting their morning prayers. One of only a few monasteries to survive the political upheaval of the 1930’s, the Gandan has been joined by hundreds of new Buddhist institutions since 1990, when new religious freedoms were granted. We also visit the Museum of Natural History, featuring a dinosaur skeleton and eggs recovered from the Gobi Desert. At the Museum of Fine Arts, marvel at the bronze works of Mongolia’s most revered artist, Zanabazar; the paper mache masks of tsam dancers; and historic tangkas, enormous, elaborately-decorated silk banners that were banned during the brutal crackdown on Buddhism in the 1930s and only recently brought to public view again.
We then venture into the countryside to visit with a family in their traditional ger home, where Mongolian takhi horses, yaks, sheep, and goats are still an integral part of life in this remarkable, rugged culture. While here, you can sample the local specialty of fermented mare’s milk and cheese.
Ulaanbaatar Hotel
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Instead of exploring Ulaanbaatar, spend a day in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park—a stunningly beautiful landscape of forested hills, rivers and streams, and fascinating rock formations. Visit one of the many nomadic families who live here in gers.
Our expedition will provide funding to purchase traditional Mongolian instruments for the Hanhongor Sum School Children’s Music Club.
Fly by private jet to China’s Yunnan Province, in the cloud-misted foothills of the Himalaya. One of the most beautiful and ethnically diverse areas of the world, the Yunnan holds one third of China’s known species of medicinal herbs and plants, and is the very place that inspired the magical utopia called Shangri-La in James Hilton’s famous novel, Lost Horizon.
We land in Kunming and transfer by local air to Lijiang, home of the Naxi people, who are well known for their matriarchal social structure, pictographic writing, and fine music. Explore this incredibly well preserved 1,000-year-old town that was an important stop on the Silk Road between Thailand, Myanmar, Yunnan, and Tibet. Take a walk in the Old Quarter, an enchanting network of ancient wooden homes and small spring-fed canals that wend their way along the narrow streets. Observe the local sorcerers presiding over Dongba religious ceremonies in ancestral halls. Stop by a teahouse for a sampling of the fine local varieties. And venture beyond town to enjoy a truly unforgettable Naxi dance performance in the open air, with the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its backdrop.
Banyan Tree Hotel, Lijiang
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Because Lijiang is situated at a high altitude (7,850 feet), a doctor’s approval to visit is required. Travelers whose health conditions do not permit a visit to Lijiang, and those who prefer to explore Kunming, can enjoy an alternate program here. Trek through the Stone Forest—an extensive outcropping of limestone pillars that have inspired local legends because they bear remarkable resemblance to animals, humans, and plants. Then visit the Kunming Flower Market, a traditional teahouse, Green Lake Park, the Golden Horse & Phoenix Memorial Archway, and the bustling markets of Nanping Street.
Kunming Bank Hotel
Our expedition will donate funds to The Hope Project whose mission is to build schools and train teachers in poor rural areas, and school supplies to Kunming’s Stone Forest Primary School.
Our private jet takes us to Papua New Guinea, a wondrous land where several hundred isolated and self-sustaining communities still live very much as their ancient ancestors did. We arrive in Port Moresby where we spend the night. The next morning, board private local aircraft to venture into your choice of three seldom-visited areas:
Go to the Western Highlands, to Kum Mountain, and the Waghi Valley, to observe some of the world’s oldest agricultural communities. Spend two days with the Melpa peoples, and learn about the moka ceremony, a fascinating gifting ritual. Delight in the views overlooking lush expanses of tea and coffee fields, and with luck, spot some of the many wild orchids that thrive here.
Or visit the Southern Highlands, where the Huli tribe has lived for ages. Observe how the Huli wigmen sport huge, decorated wigs of human hair, and if you wish, sit with the wigmen’s wives to learn about a woman’s life here. Take advantage of the prime birdwatching territory near the lodge, where you may catch sight of many exotic specimens, including more than a dozen species of Birds of Paradise.
Those who prefer to venture into the Sepik River basin will travel by riverboat through vast tropical lowland forests. Along the way, see intricately designed spirit houses, and meet with various riverine tribes and skilled artisans who make beautifully carved story boards, masks, dugout canoes, and other unique and sought-after art.
Airways Hotel, Port Moresby; Rondon Ridge Lodge, Western Highlands; Ambua Lodge, Southern Highlands; or Karawari Lodge, Sepik River basin
This expedition will donate supplies to Amboin Primary School in the Sepik River region, and will support craftspeople of the Sepik and of Chimbu Provinces.
Fly by private jet to Yogyakarta on the island of Java, the cultural heart of the vast Indonesian archipelago. Visit the island’s wondrous temple of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It was built 1,200 years ago during the short reign of the Seilendra dynasty and was mysteriously abandoned within 100 years of its completion. Then the neighboring volcano Gunung Merapi violently erupted, concealing the site in ash for centuries and helping ensure that the site we see today is, amazingly, much as it was originally so long ago. Ascend this colossal temple, dramatically situated on a hill in the form of a stepped pyramid, six levels high, topped by three circular terraces ringed with Buddha statues, and a central stupa. Along the way,
marvel at the exquisite stone carvings of its many decorative panels, depicting Buddhist doctrines and everyday life in ancient Java.
The next day, visit Prambanan, an enormous Hindu temple whose main shrine soars 154-feet high above the Valley of the Kings, a lush green expanse dotted with the ruins of 244 smaller monuments, considered by the Javanese to be royal mausoleums. Explore the Water Castle, Yogyakarta’s old water system, and its surrounding village where you can meet a local Javanese family. Then stroll the local markets and enjoy a chance to see master artisans create traditional batiks and fine wares featuring silver filigree. In the evening, savor Indonesian cuisine during a festive dinner at our hotel, where we will be treated to a sublime performance of the Ramayana by a local ballet troupe.
Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta
(Accommodation upgrades are available at Amanjiwo, on a space-available basis.)
Our expedition will donate funds to purchase books for the Krebet elementary school and medical supplies for the health center in Krebet village o Stone carving, Borobudur outside Yogyakarta.
Our private jet takes us to Calcutta, India, where we transfer to local aircraft and fly deep into the Himalaya. Secluded in the heart of this mighty mountain range and opened to visitors only decades ago, the Kingdom of Bhutan stands as a buttress against the encroachment of the modern world, protecting a sacred enclave of Mahayana Buddhism. We land in a valley dotted with mountaintop Buddhist monasteries and gaily decorated fortresses, or dzongs.
Visit the great Paro Dzong, home to a monastic community of 200. At the National Museum, admire a superb collection of textiles, ancient weapons, and classical thangka paintings depicting Buddhist cosmology. At Choeding Temple, witness a Buddhist prayer ceremony recited by monks. Stroll the town of Paro and visit with a family at their farmhouse, for a rare insider’s view into daily life here, where most people live in rural villages and work on farms. You may also meet with teachers and students at a local school. In the countryside, join local Bhutanese for a festive picnic complete with traditional archery and dancing. The next day, visit Thimphu, the country’s capital, where the gleaming white Memorial Chorten dominates the skyline. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, the Textile Museum, and the National Library—all housed in what can be considered exemplars of traditional Bhutanese architecture.
Uma Paro and Zhiwa Ling (Accommodation upgrades are available at Amankora, on a space-available basis.)
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Instead of exploring Thimphu, hearty travelers may take a spectacular hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched 10,200 feet above sea level. It is one of the country’s most revered sites, named for the flying tigress that is said to have carried the Guru Rinpoche here in the eighth century.
Our expedition will donate supplies to Bhutan’s Drukyel School for the Hearing-Impaired, and funds to Calcutta’s Sabera Foundation, which provides housing, medical care, and an education to abused and
abandoned girls.
Our private jet takes us to Aqaba, where we transfer to our hotel near the lost city of Petra. Situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Petra was built by the mysterious Nabataean people in 312 B.C. and became an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Phoenicia. The Nabataeans have long since vanished from the region, now home to the Bedouin, an Arab people who have been nomadic herders here for centuries. Half-built, half-carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs, Petra is undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive architectural achievements.
Step back in time 2,000 years as you stroll this ancient city. Enter the Siq, a dramatic opening in the bedrock, and arrive at the Treasury, Petra’s most exquisite edifice. Explore many other elaborately decorated buildings and tombs carved from sheer rock walls, and observe up-close the superb blending of Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture. In the evening, celebrate our Legendary Cultures expedition with a festive Bedouin dinner.
Mövenpick Resort, Petra
Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:
Instead of exploring Petra, discover Wadi Rum, a lunar-like landscape made famous by T. E. Lawrence and the film Lawrence of Arabia. See the spectacular rock formation known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and enjoy a traditional mansaf meal prepared by the local Bedouins.
Our expedition will support the work of the Jordan River Foundation. The Foundation works to raise awareness of child abuse, and empowers women through job training and employment opportunities.
Fly to Mali and land in Mopti, located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. Mali’s port towns were the fabled outposts of desert kings, and continue to draw people from all over. Observe daily life along the busy river port, where the Bambara, Fulani, and Bozo fishermen and merchants ply the waters in flat-bottomed pirogues laden with local fish, salt, and produce. Then enjoy two private performances of traditional entertainment: Marvel at colorfully-dressed Dogon dancers who move deftly on stilts up to 15 feet high, and listen to renowned griots, or bards, who sing local stories while playing a stringed instrument known as the kora.
Relais Kanaga, Mali
On Thursday morning, choose one of two areas to explore:
Go to Djenné, one of the oldest-known cities in Sub-Saharan Africa, founded by the Bozo people in 250 B.C. and home to outstanding examples of old-world Muslim architecture. Admire the beautiful symmetry of the Great Mosque, the largest mud-brick mosque in the world, and stroll the bustling old quarter, with streets lined with traditional homes.
Or take a local flight to legendary Timbuktu. Founded in the eleventh century, Timbuktu was an important Islamic center, and a major stop along the prosperous trans-Saharan route. Marvel at the Sankore Mosque and other distinctive mud-brick structures. See the ancient texts of the library, one of 120 that spanned West and East Africa, most of them now lost to the desert sands. And meet with a nomadic Tuareg family at their desert camp, for a rare insider’s view into one of the most ancient cultures of the Sahara.
After exploring Djenné or Timbuktu, transfer to our private jet and fly to London.
Our expedition will provide supplies to the kindergarten at SOS Children’s Village Socoura near Mopti, and funds to Le Ndomo, a workshop devoted to teaching centuries-old methods of creating Malian mud cloth.
After arriving in London, enjoy a fine dinner and retire for the night at our hotel. The next morning, after breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your independent commercial flight home.
The Dorchester, London
Download Brochure PDF
Limited to 78 Travelers
Cost Per Person:
$56,950 (double occupancy)
$7,650 (single supplement)
Commercial airfare to and from London is not included. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account that is fully insured by the U.S. Government.
Featured Accommodations
Banyan Tree Hotel, Lijiang
Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta
