Travel-Learn Program

When: January 29, 2012 - February 19, 2012 (iCal)

Description

1st Departure: January 7-28, 2012.

2nd Departure: January 29-February 19, 2012. WAITLIST ONLY

On this extraordinary private jet expedition, we will visit five continents, nine countries, and nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. From climbing the terraced steps of the ancient Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, to watching the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania, this around-the-world expedition is a once in a lifetime journey. Among the many stops, we will experience the majesty of the Taj Mahal, the Sphinx, and the ancient Pyramids, all while traveling aboard a custom-configured private Boeing 757 that accommodates 78 travelers—for the ultimate in service, comfort, and convenience. We will be visiting all these extraordinary places with a world-class team of experts, gaining the greatest possible appreciation of these exceptional destinations.

Activity level: Moderately Active

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To avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

This program is waitlist only. Please check out our other offered departure date.

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Departure

Today we depart our hometowns independently on a commercial flight to Orlando, Florida. There, we will meet our fellow travelers and the expedition staff at a welcome dinner at our hotel.

Day 2, 3 & 4 - Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu or The North Coast, Peru

Fly to Lima, arriving in the evening. Tonight dinner is served at our hotel.

We take a local flight to Cusco, where we will see the historic district where Spanish Baroque palaces, cathedral, and the grand Plaza de Armas were built directly on foundations laid by the Incas. Later we will visit the Pre-Colombian Art Museum where we will meet with master Andean weaver Nilda Callañaupa, who works with traditional weavers throughout Peru to preserve the textile arts of this country.

The next day, we travel on the Hiram Bingham train through the scenic Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. This sacred citadel was abandoned by the Incas, reclaimed by the jungle, and lost to history until it was rediscovered by the explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Later we will return to our hotel.

Alternate: Instead of visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu, head to Northern Peru to visit the temples of Chiclayo and Trujillo. See where the ancient Moche and Chimu peoples lived, including the largest adobe city in the world. Visit Huaca de la Luna and learn more about this extraordinary site at the National University of Trujillo Archeological Museum. At the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán, discover Peru’s ancient Mochica culture.

Days 5 & 6 - Easter Island

Today we fly westward across the Pacific Ocean to Easter Island. Scattered with mysterious, colossal stone statues called moai, the island is an open-air museum of the ruins of a lost culture. We will explore many parts of this UNESCO World Heritage site with renowned archaeologists who will reveal the stories behind the moai, ceremonial centers, and petroglyphs. Afterwards we will see a performance by the Kari Kari Rapa Nui dance troupe.

Day 7& 8- Apia, Samoa

We will experience the relaxing atmosphere of Samoa—a place little changed from ancient times. This chain of volcanic islands enchanted Robert Louis Stevenson, who called it home and wrote many stories featuring the Samoan people. We will visit Vailima, Stevenson’s last home and now a restored museum. We’ll be treated to a traditional feast and a fia fia—a colorful performance of Samoan dance and song.

We continue our voyage across the Pacific, crossing the international date line. We lose a day en-route and arrive in Australia the following afternoon.

Days 9 & 10 - The Great Barrier Reef or The Daintree Rain Forest, Australia

We land in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas. From there, we will venture out to the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the northern reaches of the Reef where the fish and coral are the most diverse.

Alternate: Instead of exploring the Great Barrier Reef, discover the natural wonders of the world’s oldest rain forest—the Daintree—approximately 90 million years older than the Amazon rain forest.

Days 11, 12 & 13 - Angkor Wat or Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Fly by private jet to Siem Reap, our base for an exploration to the Angkor Wat temple complex. At Angkor Thom, we will explore the Bayon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants. We will also wander among the ruins of Ta Prohm, still tangled in the thick roots of banyan trees. If you wish, you may visit the Kok Dong Primary School to meet local children and teachers. Dinner will be served in the evening at our hotel, where we will see a performance of classical Apsara dance.

Alternate: Instead of visiting Angkor Wat, travel by commercial air to Phnom Penh and spend the day exploring Cambodia’s recent history at the Tuol Sleng (Genocide) Museum and Choeung Ek, the infamous “killing fields.” Or, see Khmer dynasty treasures at the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia. Return to Angkor in the evening.

Days 14 & 15 - The Taj Mahal & the “Pink City” of Jaipur, India

Board our private jet and fly to Agra, India, site of the Taj Mahal. After visiting the Taj Mahal, we will fly to Jaipur, the “Pink City,” named for the rose color of its buildings that were painted for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. Tpmogjt we gather for a gala Rajasthani dinner at Dera Amer, home of the family of Mansinghji, the legendary Maharaja of Jaipur.

Days 16 & 17 - The Serengeti Plain or Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

We will depart India in the morning and fly by private jet to Tanzania. We will then transfer to private local aircraft, venturing into one of two different areas.

After a short flight to the Serengeti National Park, join a safari with a game drive en route to our lodgings. Later, we will venture deeper into the southern edge of the park, where the annual migration is expected to pass during our visit.

Our other option is to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater to observe the local fauna. Spend your nights here at a lodge perched on the crater’s rim.

Days 18 & 19 - Luxor, The Pyramids & The Sphinx, Egypt

Arrive in Luxor and head to the Luxor Museum to view its ancient treasures. Spend the next morning in the Valley of the Kings, where we will see the tombs of the pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun. Stop at the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habu, and gaze up at colorful reliefs detailing the triumphs of Ramses III. We will sail the Nile River in a felucca, a traditional sailboat. Then visit the Great Hypostyle Hall and temples at Karnak. In the evening we will take part in a gala dinner.

Day 20 – Cairo, Giza, Morocco

On our last day in Egypt, we board our private jet and fly to Cairo. Transfer to Gîza to visit the Pyramids. After a luncheon in view of the Sphinx, we reboard our private jet and continue on to Morocco.

Note: We expect to visit Egypt as planned; however, if for any reason we are not able to visit Egypt, we will instead visit the “lost city” of Petra in Jordan or another destination. In any case, we are prepared to ensure an extraordinary experience.

Days 20 (continued) & 21 - Fez, Morocco

After seeing Gîza, we reboard our private jet and fly to Fez, Morocco. Founded in the ninth century, Fez is the most complete medieval Islamic city in the world. Visit the bazaar of Fez-el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and nearby Fez el J’did, where we will view the imposing gates of the Royal Palace. Later, we will have a farewell cocktail party followed by a meal of traditional Moroccan delicacies.

Day 22 - Fez, Morocco / Orlando, Florida

In the morning, our private jet departs Morocco and returns to Orlando, where we can have a casual meal and a night’s rest before returning home.

Day 23 – Return Home

Following breakfast, connect with your regularly scheduled commercial flight home.

Price and Itinerary are tentative and subject to change.

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu