OCEAN WONDERS AND ISLAND CULTURES: AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY BY PRIVATE JET ENCOUNTER VIBRANT ISLAND TRADITIONS AND DAZZLING MARINE LIFE FROM HAWAII TO MADAGASCAR TO THE MALDIVES. Join eleven of National
Geographic’s top scientists, photographers, and explorers to discover rich island cultures from Tonga to Sri Lanka, and incredible wildlife in remote places like the Maldives and Australia’s Kangaroo Island. EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
•E ncounter endemic wildlife, from the lemurs of Madagascar to Papua New Guinea’s birds of paradise. •D iscover two of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites: the ancient city of Sigiriya and the Golden Temple of Dambulla. •S norkel in Tonga’s kaleidoscopic reefs with oceanographer Sylvia Earle. •M eet Huli Wigmen in Papua New Guinea and take part in a Fijian kava ceremony.
I T I N E R A RY
| 25 DAYS
DAYS 1 AND 2 KONA, HAWAII
Depart independently on a commercial flight to Hawaii. Gather for a welcome dinner and enjoy a talk by National Geographic wildlife photographer Flip Nicklin. The next day, depart for Tonga and lose a day crossing the international date line. THE FAIRMONT ORCHID (D; B)
Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Michael Davie before flying by local aircraft to Kangaroo Island, considered Australia’s Galápagos for its teeming wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Stay in the Southern Ocean Lodge, a member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World program, and discover the island’s native species, including Tammar wallabies and endemic kangaroos. HILTON ADELAIDE HOTEL; SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE (B, L, D DAILY)
DAYS 3 AND 4 VAVA�U, TONGA
DAYS 9, 10, AND 11 DAMBULLA, SRI LANKA
DAYS 5–8 ADELAIDE AND KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Take a local flight to Habarana and continue overland to Dambulla to visit two of the island’s eight World Heritage sites: Sigiriya, a fifth-century royal city; and the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a cave monastery that has drawn pilgrims for more than 22 centuries. Meet National Geographic grantee and archaeologist Robin Coningham, who conducted excavations at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s earliest capital. JETWING LAGOON; AMAYA LAKE (B, L, D DAILY)
Immerse yourself in the island culture of Tonga, which traces its royal lineage back about 900 years. Take in spectacular ocean views on a chartered flight to the Vava‘u Group, northern islands known for verdant hills and flawless beaches. Go snorkeling with Sylvia Earle among pristine coral reefs, and sail to sheltered coves hidden among limestone cliffs. SCENIC HOTEL TONGA (B, L, D DAILY)
DAYS 12, 13, AND 14 ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
Thanks to its isolation from the African mainland, more than 80 percent of species in Madagascar are endemic. National Geographic Emerging Explorer and wildlife biologist Luke Dollar meets us here to discuss the island’s unique wildlife. Choose one of three excursions: track the largest species of lemur, called indri, in the jungles of Andasibe–Mantadia National Park, and listen for their eerie calls echoing in the canopy; hike to waterfalls and volcanic lakes in Montagne d’Ambre National Park; or, discover some of the 1,800 floral species on the Anjajavy Peninsula. CARLTON HOTEL, DAY 12; AND VARIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS* DAYS 13 AND 14 (B, L, D DAILY)
Underwater photographer David Doubilet, who documented Papua New Guinea’s magnificent coral reefs for National Geographic magazine, introduces us to this country of cultural and natural wonders. After a night in Port Moresby, fly by local aircraft to one of four remote areas. Visit with the Melpa people in the Western Highlands, an area known for its orchid species and birds of paradise. Or head to the Southern Highlands, where the Huli Wigmen sport extravagant headdresses. Explore the tropical lowland forest on a Sepik River basin cruise, or head to Kokopo beach on New Britain Island. AIRWAYS HOTEL, DAY 20; AND VARIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS* DAYS 21 AND 22 (B, L, D DAILY)
Set out on a tour of Adelaide and enjoy lunch at a local winery in the Adelaide Hills. Meet with
*Visit our website for a complete listing of accommodations.
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Above inset photographs, clockwise from top left: A Huli Wigman in Papua New Guinea; a koala on Kangaroo Island; a colorful angelfish in the Maldives. Background photograph: A traditional dhoni sails the waters of the Maldives.
Robin Coningham Archaeologist and National Geographic grantee who will join us in Sri Lanka DAYS 23 AND 24 FIJI
On Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, take part in a traditional kava ceremony at the Kalevu Cultural Centre. Ride jet boats on the Sigatoka River or take a catamaran cruise around Natadola, stopping to swim and snorkel the reef. Meet with National Geographic Emerging Explorer and water advocate Alexandra Cousteau, whose family has explore the seas for generations. FIJI GOLF RESORT & SPA, AN INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT (B, L, D DAILY) DAY 25 FIJI/HONOLULU, HAWAII
Board our private jet and depart for Hawaii. As we cross the international date line, we gain a day, and arrive in Honolulu on Day 24. Enjoy a casual dinner in the evening. The next day, connect with your commercial flight home. THE MODERN HONOLULU (B, L, D; B) I N F O R M AT I O N Dates: 2015: Sep. 27–Oct. 21 Expedition Cost: $76,950 Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $8,950. Transportation by private Boeing 757 jet and other conveyance, as noted in the itinerary, is included in the expedition cost. Airfare to/from Hawai‘i is not included. Please note: There is a $2,500 per person deposit for this trip. See our website for specific terms and conditions.
DAYS 15, 16, AND 17 THE MALDIVES
Settle into private overwater bungalows and wake up to magnificent ocean views. Dip into translucent waters to snorkel or scuba dive in a dazzling underwater world of more than a
Kenny Broad Anthropologist and National Geographic 2011 Explorer of the Year who will join us in Bali
DAYS 18 AND 19 BALI, INDONESIA
DAYS 20, 21, AND 22 PAPUA NEW GUINEA
A baby ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar clings to his mother’s back.
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPERTS
thousand sea species. Or hop on a bicycle and enjoy the beautiful island scenery. National Geographic Emerging Explorer Andrea Marshall, a leading expert on manta rays, joins us here. SHANGRI-LA’S VILLINGILI RESORT & SPA (B, L, D DAILY)
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of magical Bali, whose cultural landscape was declared a World Heritage site in 2012. Visit the Hindu temple of Pura Luhur Batukaru; explore Ubud, the island’s cultural and artistic center; or ride through the countryside atop an elephant. Explorer of the Year Kenny Broad will discuss the relationships between ancient and modern civilizations. FOUR SEASONS RESORT BALI AT SAYAN (B, L, D DAILY)
PRIVATE JET
Fly by Private Jet: Our specially outfitted Boeing 757 is ideally suited for this extraordinary expedition. Its long-range capabilities and ability to land in smaller airports afford us unmatched flexibility. We set our own schedules, flying direct and avoiding layovers, which gives us the freedom to make the most of our adventures on land. Instead of the standard 233 seats, the jet’s interior has been customized and refitted to accommodate just 74 guests in two-by-two, VIP-style leather seating.
Alexandra Cousteau
Filmmaker, water advocate, and National Geographic Emerging Explorer who will join us in Fiji Michael Davie Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker and author who will join us in Australia Luke Dollar Conservation scientist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer who will join us in Madagascar David Doubilet National Geographic photographer who will accompany the entire expedition Sylvia Earle Oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence who will join us in Tonga Andrea Marshall Conservation biologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer who will join us in the Maldives Flip Nicklin Marine biologist and National Geographic wildlife photographer who will join us in Hawaii Tierney Thys
Marine biologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer who will accompany the entire expedition
PLEASE NOTE: FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE ON THIS PRIVATE JET EXPEDITION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL 1-800-224-1894.
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