Around the World by Private Jet

Your extraordinary adventure begins with a welcome dinner where you'll meet your National Geographic Expedition Staff and fellow Guests. Experience National Geographic Base Camp, known as the home of the Explorer, where you’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the archives and exhibitions.

Fly by private jet to Lima, where you’ll board a local charter and/or commercial flight to Cusco—the gateway to Peru’s Inca heartland. The next morning, set out on a tour of this charming city or head north into the Sacred Valley of the Inca, where you can choose to explore the terraced salt mines of Maras and the intriguing ruins of Moray or meet master Andean weavers at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, founded by National Geographic Grantee, Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez. You’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. The next day, embark on an early-morning visit to the former Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo before boarding a privately chartered train to Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes Mountains, above the Urubamba River valley. Accompanied by private guides, explore this legendary 15th-century Inca citadel, which was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and excavated with support from the National Geographic Society. Named both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a symbol of the Incan Empire, however its exact use remains a mystery. Then enjoy an elegant dinner aboard the train as you return to Cusco. Alternatively, you may choose to spend your time in Peru exploring its sun-soaked northwestern coast. Visit the historic city of Trujillo, the second oldest Spanish city in Peru. Discover remnants of the ancient Moche and Chimú cultures, including the towering temples of the Sun and Moon and the sprawling ruins of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world. North Coast Guests will spend one night in Lima.

Fly by private jet to Easter Island, located 2,300 miles (3,701 km) off the coast of Chile. Discover its ancient ruins with resident archaeologists. Delve into theories surrounding the origins of the mysterious moai —the island’s famed stone statues. Visit the abandoned village of Orongo, once the ceremonial center of the island’s intriguing Birdman cult, where islanders competed in a treacherous annual race to retrieve a rare egg. Later, enjoy a showcase of different traditional dances from a group of local performers. Choose to rise early for a photo shoot with a National Geographic Photographer, capturing the first light as it falls over this enigmatic landscape.

From Easter Island, you’ll continue your journey across the Pacific, passing the international date line. You’ll lose a day en route and arrive in Samoa the following evening.

Spend the day on this idyllic island, known as “the heart of Polynesia.” It 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 your beachfront hotel and enjoy the tranquil rhythm of this inviting island retreat.

Fly to Cairns and transfer to the seaside town of Port Douglas, where you’ll have an opportunity to choose between 2 incredible ecosystems—the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest. Explore the unparalleled marine ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. Spanning more than 1,200 miles (1,931 km) 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 corals with schools of fish and other marine life. Alternatively, you may choose to explore the natural wonders of the Daintree Rainforest—a place of staggering biodiversity and beauty that is estimated to be 180 million years old. Learn more about this World Heritage Site and its Aboriginal culture on a walk through the forest with local guides.

Travel to Siem Reap, your base for exploring the stunning Angkor Wat temple complex, once the capital of the Khmer Empire. Spend a morning admiring the soaring towers, carved murals and courtyards of this World Heritage Site, which spans some 500 acres. Visit the HeroRATs, African giant pouched rats that have been specially trained to detect the explosives in buried land mines. Learn how these small heroes are reclaiming the land from the dangers of landmines and allowing local villages to thrive once again. In the evening, enjoy traditional Cambodian music and dance during a private dinner.

After breakfast, board the private jet to Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon arrival, head to the ancient city of Bhaktapur, once the royal capital. Discover ancient temples and palaces adorned with intricately carved wooden windows and latticework—some of the region’s best representations of traditional craftsmanship. The next morning, fly by local charter and/or commercial flight to Paro, Bhutan and tour some of the city’s highlights, including the historic fortress and the Paro Dzong monastery. The following day, you may choose to go on a vigorous hike up to the cliff-side Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as Tiger’s Nest Temple—Bhutan’s most famous pilgrimage site. Alternatively, spend the day exploring Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On a city tour, gaze up at one of the largest seated statues of Buddha in the world and pay a visit to the Royal Textile Academy to view traditional Bhutanese clothing and thangkas —paintings of sacred Buddhist deities.

Fly back to Kathmandu by local charter and/or commercial flight, then continue to Agra by private jet. Check in to your luxurious hotel, offering views of the Taj Mahal from every room. The next morning, join a National Geographic Photographer to capture images of the Taj Mahal during an early morning photo shoot. Then take a guided tour of this monument, the most iconic site in all of India. Explore the palace’s elegant 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.

Fly by private jet to Arusha and continue by local charter and/or commercial flight to Serengeti National Park. One of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations, the Serengeti Plains are home to the legendary “Big Five”—rhinoceroses, lions, leopards, elephants and Cape buffalo. Head out across the savanna on safari drives, keeping an eye out for wildebeests and zebras as you go. In the evening, meet National Geographic Explorer-at-Large Louise Leakey or one of her colleagues to learn about the many important fossil discoveries made by the Leakey family. You will also learn more about the area’s local culture while enjoying a performance of traditional songs and dance. Alternatively, you may choose to fly by local charter and/or commercial flight to the Ngorongoro Crater, 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 delicious lunch on the floor of the crater.

Travel to Petra, once the thriving capital of the ancient Nabataeans and today one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. 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 monuments. After lunch, choose to take a rigorous hike to the clifftop Monastery, with a spectacular view overlooking the unique landscape. In the evening, learn more about their traditions during a festive dinner accompanied by a Bedouin folklore performance.

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, after which you may choose to visit the exquisitely carved Bahia Palace. Then venture further into the labyrinthine streets of the Medina of Marrakech—a World Heritage Site lined with market stalls and craftspeople. See artisans at work in the marketplace and soak up the lively local atmosphere of Djemaa el Fna Square, where magicians and musicians entertain passersby. Alternatively, choose to spend the day exploring the Atlas Mountain, North Africa’s highest mountain range. Visit a Berber village, learning about the age-old traditions of life in the Atlas Mountains. In the evening, join your fellow Guests for a farewell dinner celebrating your adventure.

Following breakfast, fly by private jet to Washington, DC. Upon arrival, connect with your commercial flight home or Guests with flights departing the next day may choose to enjoy complimentary accommodations for the night before departing the next day.