World Highlights

Tues, Nov 29 – London, England
Depart your hometown independently on a commercial flight to London. Meet fellow travelers, lecturers, and expedition leaders at a welcome dinner.

(Please note that most travelers from the U.S. will need to take a flight departing November 28 in order to arrive in time for the expedition check-in and welcome dinner.)

Wed & Thurs, Nov 30 & Dec 1 – Istanbul & The Bosporus, Turkey
Fly by private jet to Istanbul, a city of graceful domes and soaring minarets built on seven hills. The only city in the world that straddles two continents, Istanbul has beckoned countless travelers and conquerors over the centuries and remains a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

Visit the colossal Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century Byzantine masterpiece whose dome has influenced architecture around the world for 1,500 years. Enjoy cocktails on a cruise on the Bosporus Strait, offering magnificent views of this storied city. Stroll the Grand Bazaar, brimming with jewelry, pottery, carpets, and spices. Explore Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans that houses splendid jewels, furnishings, and other treasures. At the imposing 17th-century mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, known as the Blue Mosque, examine the stunning azure-colored Iznik tiles that line the interior.

Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:

Instead of exploring some of the sites of Istanbul, you may choose to take a cooking class at the Istanbul Culinary Institute.

Fri, Dec 2 – Cairo, The Pyramids & The Sphinx, Egypt
Board our private jet and fly to Cairo. Transfer to Gîza and visit the Pyramids, including the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Enjoy lunch in view of the Sphinx. Then explore the Egyptian Museum—repository of countless antiquities including the famed Gold Mask of King Tutankhamun and the recently identified mummy of Queen Hatshepsut—and enjoy a private reception in one of the galleries.

Sat, Sun, & Mon, Dec 3, 4, & 5 – Luxor & The Valley of The Kings or Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Arrive in Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes, where the temples and tombs of some of history’s greatest kings and queens are found. See Luxor Museum’s stunning collection of statues, figures, bas-reliefs, and mummies. Visit the Great Hypostyle Hall and temples at Karnak, the largest ancient religious site in the world, once described by the Egyptians as “the most perfect of places.”

Enjoy lunch aboard a traditional Egyptian boat, a felucca, while sailing across the Nile River. Visit the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered nearly completely intact in 1923. Stop at Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple, one of the most beautiful in the area. See the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous statues and all that remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Admire the colorful reliefs of Medinet Habu, the best-preserved temple in the area. In the evening, enjoy a gala dinner at the Luxor Temple.

Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:

Or take a private local flight into the Sahara Desert and discover the Siwa Oasis, home to the Berber Siwan people for thousands of years. See the Great Sand Sea take on a breathtaking spectrum of colors, from sunrise to sunset, and unwind in our unique and unforgettably beautiful boutique hotel.

Tues, Dec 6 – The Taj Mahal, India
Board our private jet and fly to Agra, India, site of the famous Taj Mahal. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this astoundingly beautiful monument in the 17th century as a tribute to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Wander this enchanting work of art, which incorporates and expands on Persian, Hindu, and Islamic styles. Admire the Taj Mahal’s lovely form among the reflecting pools and gardens that surround it, and observe up-close the intricate ornamentation and inlaid precious stones. You can also enjoy a view of this grand tribute to love from our hotel, a lavish oasis only 660 yards from the site.

Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:

Or, instead of the Taj Mahal, visit Kachhpura, which is inhabited by the Harijan people, otherwise known as “Untouchables.” Meet with families and visit a local school.

Wed & Thurs, Dec 7 & 8 – Rajasthan’s “Pink City” of Jaipur, India
Fly by private jet to Jaipur, the “Pink City” named for the rose color of its prominent buildings that were painted for a citywide makeover to honor a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876. See the unique Palace of the Winds, an oasis for women of the court who discreetly observed palace activities from behind latticed windows. Visit the sumptuous City Palace and its museum to see royal artworks and artifacts, including exquisite robes, toys from the royal playroom, and antique weaponry. Explore the whimsical Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory with enormous and sculptural astronomical tools. In the evening, gather for a gala Rajasthani dinner at Dera Amer, the former home of Mansinghji, the legendary Maharaja of Jaipur.

Fri & Sat, Dec 9 & 10 – The Lost City of Petra, Jordan
Step back in history in the ancient city of Petra, half-built, half-carved into rose red cliffs by the mysterious Nabataean people more than 2,000 years ago. This breathtaking “lost city” was known only to local Bedouins until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer in 1812. Venture into the Siq, a narrow chasm in the bedrock, and arrive at the iconic Treasury. Admire the elaborate buildings and tombs carved from sheer rock walls, and observe up-close the superb blending of Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture.

Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:

Instead of visiting Petra, embark on a 4x4 jeep safari to Wadi Rum, an evocative lunar-like landscape made famous by T. E. Lawrence and the film about him, Lawrence of Arabia. Marvel at the spectacular rock formation known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom; examine ancient pictographs and Thamudic, Nabataean, and Arabic inscriptions carved in stone throughout this area; and enjoy a traditional Bedouin lunch.

Sun & Mon, Dec 11 & 12 – Marrakech, Morocco
Upon arrival in Marrakech, we transfer to our fine hotel. The following morning, we begin to explore this 1,000-year-old city steeped in Berber tradition. Explore the lavishly decorated rooms of the Bahia Palace, many of which open onto small pleasure gardens; enter the halls of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic college founded during the Merinid Dynasty; and gaze up at the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. Catch a glimpse of the centuries-old techniques of tanners, silk dyers, brass workers, and other skilled artisans in Marrakech’s bustling souks. Wander through the Djemaa el Fna, the busiest market square in all of Africa, to see a myriad of delights including snake charmers, storytellers, and acrobats. Immerse yourself in the blue and green paradise of Jardin Majorelle, a garden estate created in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. In the evening, celebrate our adventure at a gala farewell dinner.

Alternate - Instead of an activity or excursion in the main itinerary, choose the following:

Instead of exploring Marrakech, spend the day in the spectacular Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in North Africa. Visit a Berber village, share tea with a village chief and his family, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. In the evening, rejoin the group in Marrakech for the gala farewell dinner.

Tues, Dec 13 – London, England
Our private jet flies us to London, where we will enjoy a fine meal and bid farewell to fellow travelers.

London, England/ Homeward
Following breakfast, connect with your regularly scheduled commercial flight home.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
No Departure Date Information was found for this Tour. This could be due to our website undergoing an update. Please call a tour specialist at 1-800-942-3301 for personalized assistance.
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

• Istanbul & The Bosphorus, Turkey

• Cairo, The Pyramids & The Sphinx, Egypt

• The Ancient City of Luxor, The Nile River & The Valley of The Kings, Egypt

• The Taj Mahal, India

• Rajasthan's 'Pink City' of Jaipur, India

• The Lost City of Petra, Jordan

• Marrakech, Morocco

Limited to 78 Travelers

Cost Per Person:
$41,950 (double occupancy)
$4,950 (single supplement)

The cost per person includes all private jet flights, meals, accommodations, educational program, philanthropic contributions, and comprehensive pre- and post-departure services.

Commercial airfare to and from London is not included. Please see the Terms & Conditions for details. For your protection and peace of mind, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account that is fully insured by the U.S. Federal Government.

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