25 Days Around the World Fall Tour Package
Duration: 24 Days / 23 Nights
Priced From: $55,950 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Oct, Dec

Discover the wonder and beauty of the world's remote corners and the timeless landscapes that shaped human experience in this classic journey.

Cusco & Machu Picchu or Trujillo, Peru • Easter Island, Chile • Samoa • Great Barrier Reef • Papua New Guinea • Angkor Wat • Taj Mahal • Dubai, United Arab Emirates • Serengeti Plain, Tanzania • Marrakech, Morocco

Itinerary

Day 1
Meet in Orlando, Florida
Meet fellow travelers, lecturers and expedition staff for a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel.

Day 2
Lima, Peru
Walk the streets of these legendary South American sites and history will be underfoot. When Francisco Pizarro founded Lima in 1535, he built beautiful cathedrals, palaces and houses, many on superbly crafted foundations created by the region’s indigenous people. Much of this beautiful art and architecture remain.

Day 3
Machu Picchu or Trujillo, Peru
The following day, head to Cusco, and board a deluxe train to travel through the sacred Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. Explore Machu Picchu’s mysterious and beautiful altars, temples, staircases and terraced gardens — set in a breathtaking Andean landscape.

Day 4
Machu Picchu or Trujillo, Peru
If you’ve already visited Machu Picchu, travel to Trujillo to see temples and murals at the center of the Mochica culture. Also see the citadel of Chan Chan, capital of the 13th-century Chimu empire and the largest adobe city in the world.

Day 5
Easter Island, Chile
There’s much the world could learn from this remote island that sits more than 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile. A thousand years ago, a sophisticated society developed, then disappeared, leaving stone villages, open-air sanctuaries and giant statues called moai.

Day 6
Easter Island, Chile
Resident archaeologists lead you to hidden troves of statuary, as well as pictographs and petroglyphs that detail the annual rituals of the birdman cult.

Day 7
Apia, Samoa
Lush, tropical beauty enticed author Robert Louis Stevenson to spend the last years of his life in Samoa. Visit his home, observe a traditional kava ceremony, wander through colorful botanical gardens, and enjoy a fiafia, a performance of Samoan dancing and singing.

Day 8
Cross the International Date Line
From Samoa we fly west across the South Pacific. Crossing the International Date Line, we lose a day en route to Australia, arriving the next day.

Day 9
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches 1,250 miles from Papua New Guinea to the Tropic of Capricorn. A network of hundreds of individual reefs, it’s home to a panorama of marine life — more than 300 types of coral and 1,300 species of fish.

Day 10
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
From Port Douglas, our base for explorations on the Coral Sea, board a catamaran for the Outer Reef to explore and snorkel in the crystal waters. Sail down the Daintree River, abounding with estuarine crocodiles and lined with lush ferns, orchids and other tropical epiphytes.

Day 11
The Highlands or Sepik River Basin, Papua New Guinea
Next stop — Port Moresby, jumping off point for the seldom-visited mountainous Highlands area or the art-rich Sepik River basin. Impenetrable jungle and jagged mountain ranges have kept the country’s tribes isolated for centuries, supporting more than 700 distinct languages and cultures in a population of just over three million.

Day 12
The Highlands or Sepik River Basin, Papua New Guinea
Those who choose to explore the Southern Highlands will fly to Tari, then travel overland to the Ambua Lodge, where Huli tribespeople — many sporting huge wigs of human hair — honor you with a traditional sing-sing and share the rituals of their colorful self-decoration. Returning to Tari Gap, spot some of its many exotic birds.

Day 13
The Highlands or Sepik River Basin, Papua New Guinea
Those choosing to explore the Sepik River will fly to Mt. Hagen, then to Karawari. In nearby villages meet people making sago, a staple food derived from the sago palm, and skilled artisans who create the area’s much sought-after art — from spirit houses to elaborately carved dugout canoes.

Day 14
Angkor, Cambodia
While the French were laying the cornerstone of Notre-Dame in Paris, the Khmer kings were finishing the great temples of Angkor Wat. This complex of towers, carved murals, colonnades and courtyards ushered in the classic age of Khmer art and architecture, and continues to draw countless monks and pilgrims.

Day 15
Angkor, Cambodia
At the royal walled city of Angkor Thom, explore the extraordinary Bayon, a temple with dozens of stone towers carved with more than 200 giant faces. If you have visited Angkor before, a separate excursion to Banteay Srei — the citadel of women — can be arranged. A scenic drive through the Cambodian countryside takes you to this smaller, more intimate pink sandstone monument.

Day 16
Agra, India
Emperor Shah Jahan built his architectural masterpiece in Agra, capital of India’s Mogul empire, to commemorate his beloved wife. The shimmering white marble Taj Mahal is built on the bank of the River Jamuna and surrounded by gardens and pools.

Day 17
Agra, India
Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the red sandstone Agra Fort, which served as palace and prison for Emperor Shah Jahan, who was held captive there by his son. Within the walls are fairy-tale palaces, audience halls, and mosques.

Day 18
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Originally a small fishing village, Dubai created the busiest souks on the Persian Gulf coast. Explore its magnificent mosque and old wind-tower houses, then choose from an array of options: glimpse daily Arab life as a guest in a Dubai home; learn to cook classic Arabian delicacies; visit a wharf to see traditional dhow construction; or visit a race track for a hands-on experience with magnificent Arabian horses.

Day 19
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Travel deep into the desert by four-wheel-drive vehicle to Hatta Gardens, enjoying spectacular views. Celebrate with champagne atop the dunes and savor a falconry show and dinner at a desert camp.

Day 20
Serengeti Plain, Tanzania
From Kilimanjaro, fly by small plane into the Serengeti where four-wheel-drive vehicles take you on game drives to search out and photograph the abundant wildlife.

Day 21
Serengeti Plain, Tanzania
Each year, millions of wildebeest and zebra — stalked by lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas — gather to calve and begin their 500-mile seasonal migration to new grazing lands.

 Day 22
Marrakech, Morocco
An oasis of palm and olive groves, Marrakech boasts a vibrant medina with winding streets, colorful souks and the Place Djemaa el Fna. See the Koutoubia Mosque, the tombs of the Saadian kings and the Museum of Moroccan Arts.

Day 23
Marrakech, Morocco
Traveling outside the city, discover the Ourika Valley where rural Berber villages are nestled within sight of the spectacular Atlas Mountains. On your last evening, celebrate at a gala farewell dinner.

Day 24
London, UK
This morning, depart for London on the last leg of our private jet expedition. We arrive in the afternoon, transfer to our deluxe hotel, and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Day 25
Depart London for Home
Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for regularly scheduled commercial flights homeward.

Accommodations

United States

The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando
Each guest room in this lavish new resort features a spacious and elegant bathroom, hand painted Italian furniture, flat-screen Web TV and a five-foot private balcony with panoramic views of lakes, pool and gardens. Public areas are richly treated in marble, antiques, fresh flowers and plush fabrics. The grounds include a 40,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, and an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course.

Peru

Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima
In a luxurious seafront district next to a park, this intimate property blends local touches with European elegance. Inca antiques and Peruvian masks line the lobby. A rooftop pool, large gym and full spa help travelers unwind. Guest rooms are large and decorated with carved furniture. A bath butler can provide scented oils, candles, rose petals, iced champagne and strawberries.

and

Hotel Monasterio, Cusco
Gilded antiques and religious art adorn the cobblestoned foyer of this restored 16th-century monastery. Astonishing Inca artifacts surround the bar's ancient stone fireplace. The intricately carved chapel features massive oak doors, frescoes and paintings dating from the Inquisition. Each guest room features unique Inca textiles on rustic stucco walls.

Chile

Hanga Roa Hotel, Easter Island
The Hanga Roa enjoys an enviable seaside location, and its tiled bungalow rooms are the best appointed on Easter Island. The dining room serves mostly fish fresh from the ocean beyond its window-walls. The grounds include a pool on the hotel lawn.

or

Taha Tai Hotel, Easter Island
This modern, comfortable hotel opened in 2000. The guest rooms offer basic amenities and terraces. The Taha Tai, which features a pool and seafood restaurant with sweeping ocean views, is conveniently located within walking distance of the museum and handicrafts market.

Samoa

Aggie Grey's Lagoon Beach Resort & Spa, Apia
Founded by Aggie Grey in 1933, this hotel became a renowned club for American servicemen during World War II. Here fresh bananas hang from cool verandahs, drums call guests to dinner and tropical flowers scent the air. The 300 staff members treat travelers like extended family within a traditional South Seas ambience.

Australia

Sea Temple Resort & Spa, Port Douglas
Surrounded by a lush rainforest, secluded beach, large lagoon, and 18-hole championship golf course, this property evokes serenity and relaxation. The day spa offers a full range of signature treatments. Also on site are a fully equipped gym, lap pool with waterfalls, and lagoon pool. Beautifully detailed guest rooms feature spa baths and furnished private balconies or terraces.

Papua New Guinea

Airways Hotel, Port Moresby
Conveniently located near Jackson's International airport in Port Moresby, the Airways is decorated in natural wood and pastel colors, with beautiful glass and art objects. The rooms are comfortable with full amenities, and the restaurant specializes in local fresh seafood and regional specialties.

and

Karawari Lodge, Sepik River
Karawari Lodge stands amid dense tropical lowland rainforest just above the river, the region's only "road." The main building takes the form of a Arambak spirit house and contains an incredible collection of Sepik artifacts. The guest cottages, constructed from local bush materials, include modern baths and verandahs.

or

Ambua Lodge, Tari Gap
This lodge, 7,000 feet above sea level in the Tari Gap of the Southern Highlands, provides a comfortable place from which to encounter the flamboyant Huli Wigmen — and the exotic birds of paradise they imitate in their ceremonies. Individual guest units are set amid local flowers and feature picture windows, modern baths and cozy quilts.

Cambodia

Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap
Just minutes from the Angkor complex, the historic Grand Hotel d'Angkor was built in 1911 and sits on 15 lush acres. Guest rooms feature Art Deco country-style furnishings and public areas showcase Cambodian objects d’art. Refurbished by Raffles International Hotels in 1997, it is one of the world's classic hotels.

India

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Only 650 yards from the Taj Mahal, this serene resort abounds with elaborate Mogul gardens, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions that complement the classical architecture of the hotel. Each elegant guest room features hand-embroidered headboards, inlaid wooden desks and arched windows framing a beautiful view of the Taj.

United Arab Emirates

Grosvenor House Resort, Dubai
Towering over the Dubai Marina, this stunning property boasts innovative architecture. Its luxurious guest rooms combine Arabian influence with contemporary design and the very latest technology. Butlers are on call round the clock to attend to guests’ needs.
A beautiful, serene spa is finished in dark woods and soothing accents.

Tanzania

Serengeti Sopa Lodge
This game lodge in the southwestern section of the park is nestled into a wooded hillside. Large public areas with murals and double-height windows face the plains and provide many wildlife-viewing areas. Accommodations include sitting areas, bedrooms with two queen beds and views out to the plains.

Morocco

Sofitel, Marrakech
Bridging the charm and romance of A Thousand and One Nights with modern conveniences, the Sofitel welcomes each guest with a glass of traditional mint tea in its Moorish lobby. Guest rooms feature large marble combination baths and balconies overlooking the luxurious pool, terraces, and the Atlas Mountains. Fitness facilities also include a heated indoor pool, Turkish bath, and clay tennis courts.

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