Oceania’s Optional Mid-Cruise Overland Programs
From the jaw-droppingly beautiful Fiordland National Park in New Zealand to the majesty of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, the sheer breadth and depth of Mid-Cruise Overland Programs available on this Around the World journey further illustrate the epic and exceedingly unique nature of this global circumnavigation. The opportunity to delve deeper into some of the most fascinating destinations comes to life on these multi-day, in-depth tours. Throughout your voyage, you can choose to further explore the regions you find most intriguing, such as the wine country of Australia, the pyramids of Egypt, or the Inle Lake floating villages and gardens of Myanmar. Designed for the passionate traveler who cherishes longer and more immersive explorations, these programs provide exclusive access to the world’s most renowned cultural treasures and natural wonders, from the iconic Great Wall of China and astounding Angkor Wat to the legendary Taj Mahal.
AMAZON RAINFOREST EXPERIENCE
BRAZIL
Venture into the dense Amazon jungle on foot and by boat to observe wildlife in one of the world’s most biodiverse settings. A riverboat up the inky Rio Negro takes you to a jungle-enshrouded lodge, the ideal launching point for adventurous forays into the rainforest. Fishing for voracious piranhas seems sedate compared to the evening’s escapade – a dugout canoe ride to look for caiman in the pitch-black surroundings. Jungle hikes reveal other indigenous species, especially monkeys, which you can see up close at a rehabilitation center.
AFRICAN SAFARIS
SOUTH AFRICA
Whether you spot several of the iconic animals known as the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffalo – or some of the fascinating smaller creatures known as the Little Five, our African safari experiences are filled with game drives that present opportunities to observe Africa’s most majestic animals in their natural habitats. You may even spy a few of the birding Big Six, which includes Africa’s largest eagle and a stork nearly six feet tall. Relaxing in between wildlife outings at your luxurious safari lodge perfectly complements the adventure.
TAJ MAHAL: THE ETERNAL MASTERPIECE
INDIA
One of the best-known structures in the world, Agra’s fabled Taj Mahal will awe your senses and capture your heart. Considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal is a glistening mass of white marble and semiprecious stones set amidst impeccably landscaped grounds. Witness how the sunlight alters the hues of this magnificent mausoleum, and also observe other icons of Mughal architecture and dance.
ANCIENT TEMPLES OF BAGAN
MYANMAR
One of the first capitals of an ancient Burmese empire, Bagan today is a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Fly to Bagan to behold its seemingly countless pagodas and temples, most constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries when the Kingdom of Pagan was at the height of its power. You will also enjoy the charming local markets and tour a lacquerware workshop as local artisans demonstrate their craft.
DISCOVER ANGKOR WAT
CAMBODIA
Obscured by dense vegetation for centuries, the glorious temples of Angkor comprise one of the world’s largest religious monuments. The most famous is the enormous UNESCO-protected Angkor Wat, where soaring walls are adorned in elaborate carvings. You will also spend time at the magnificent ancient capital of Angkor Thom, home to the renowned Bayon Temple. The most recognizable elements of the Bayon Temple, built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries, are the 54 towers adorned with several enormous smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
CHINA
In the center of the Shaanxi Province, Xian marked the eastern starting point of the Silk Road and was home to the ruling houses of four great Chinese dynasties. Perhaps nothing better showcases the power and wealth of this ancient capital than the terracotta army that protects the tomb of China’s first emperor. Behold one of the greatest archaeological finds of the modern era on a visit to the 22-square-mile site where life-size sculptures of warriors, acrobats, animals, courtiers and more have been unearthed.
KOALAS, ULURU & THE KUKU YALANJI
3 NIGHTS | FEBRUARY 25, 2024 | BRISBANE to CAIRNS
No stone is left unturned on this exploration, including monolithic Ayers Rock, which the Aboriginals hold sacred and call Uluru. Watch it change colors at sunrise. Walk in its shadow while viewing the ancient rock art that the Anangu people created there. Behold Uluru looming in the distance during a magical evening light show as 50,000 bulbs illuminate the landscape. Port Douglas also beckons with the irresistible lure of seeing koalas in a wildlife habitat and walking through a rainforest with an indigenous Kuku Yalanji guide.
JOYOUS JAVA
2 NIGHTS | MARCH 9, 2024 | BENOA to SURABAYA
Become immersed in Java’s history and culture through experiences that divulge the island’s true nature. The impact of Hinduism and Buddhism comes to light at the temple complexes of Prambanan and Borobudur, respectively. Both architectural treasures are enlightening UNESCO World Heritage sites. A rare opportunity to watch a revered, almost spiritual kris dagger being made sheds additional light on the Javanese way of life. A train ride from the royal city of Yogyakarta brings you to sprawling Surabaya, where Arabic Square reveals the roots of Islam in Indonesia.
ANCIENT CAPITALS OF CHINA
3 NIGHTS | APRIL 4, 2024 | SHANGHAI to HONG KONG
China’s glorious history rushes to the forefront through legendary landmarks, none more iconic than the Great Wall. Walking the section that spans rugged Juyong Pass presents panoramic views and highlights the wall’s monumental construction. Beijing’s imperial Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City are architectural wonders as well and recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. A view of ancient royal life is revealed at the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xian, which holds thousands of life-size clay soldiers and horses found in the burial complex of China’s first emperor.
HANOI EXPERIENCE
1 NIGHT | APRIL 10, 2024 | HANOI
This definitive look at Hanoi presents attractions ranging from the city’s oldest Buddhist shrine to the Hanoi Hilton, where American POWs were held during the Vietnam War. The Temple of Literature, which was constructed as a university in 1070 to honor Confucius, and lakefront Ngoc Son, a temple commemorating a 13th-century military hero, add deeper historical insight. Much of the second day is devoted to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s former president. His mausoleum and the stilt house where he lived until his death are particularly illuminating
VIETNAM & ANGKOR WAT MEDLEY
3 NIGHTS | APRIL 12, 2024 | CHAN MAY to HO CHI MINH CITY
Time travel isn’t just for science fiction, as this adventure bridges the centuries. Discover why the ancient port of Hoi An earned a UNESCO World Heritage site designation. See another side of Vietnam in Da Nang’s Cham Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of sculptures that the Cham people created starting in the 4th century. Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park showcases the powerful Khmer Empire through the massive Buddhist temple Angkor Wat, the oversized stone faces at Angkor Thom and the tree-strangled ruins of the 12th-century temple Ta Prohm.
VIETNAM VIGNETTES
2 NIGHTS | APRIL 14, 2024 | NHA TRANG to HO CHI MINH CITY
Experience the true Vietnam in a multitude of ways and places. Reflect upon the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism at the Ponagar Tower complex in Nha Trang. Visit the former Presidential Palace where the fall of Saigon climaxed so infamously in 1975, and watch artisans create lacquerware treasures elsewhere in Ho Chi Minh City. Spend leisure time as you please at a riverside resort in the Mekong Delta, and then rise with the sun to cruise the labyrinthine waterways that lead to the iconic Cai Be Floating Market.
ANCIENT LUANG PRABANG
2 NIGHTS | APRIL 16, 2024 | HO CHI MINH CITY to BANGKOK
The limelight shines solely on Luang Prabang on this rare, in-depth exploration of Laos’ ancient capital. Each moment, regardless of the hour, is maximized. Rise at dawn to watch hundreds of orange-robed monks collect alms from the faithful. See a pyrotechnic sunset over the serpentine Mekong River as a prelude to strolling through the atmospheric night market. Contemplate the essence of Buddhism at Wat Mai and the beauty of nature at Kuang Si waterfall. Delve into Laotian history at the National Museum that occupies the former royal palace.
SIMPLY ANGKOR WAT
2 NIGHTS | APRIL 16, 2024 | HO CHI MINH CITY to BANGKOK
So spectacular that it deserves your full attention, the Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site of extraordinary cultural and symbolic importance. Water from annual monsoons dictated its rise and eventual collapse in the 15th century, which becomes evident by exploring the ruins, especially at the massive religious monument Angkor Wat deep in the Cambodian jungle. Similarly, the enormous stone faces at Angkor Thom and the fig tree-choked temples at Ta Prohm reveal other aspects of the ancient Khmer kingdom.
KHMER KALEIDOSCOPE & ANGKOR WAT
3 NIGHTS | APRIL 19, 2024 | BANGKOK to SINGAPORE
A study in contrasts, this experience presents the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s juxtaposed with the glorious Buddhist temple complex Angkor Wat. See the infamous Killing Fields and a museum that chronicles the genocide of that time period. The glories of Khmer architecture take center stage at the Royal Palace and the extravagant Silver Pagoda. Still, Angkor Wat is undeniably the highlight as this UNESCO World Heritage site was the center of the Khmer kingdom in the 9th through 15th centuries.
ANCIENT TEMPLES OF BAGAN
1 NIGHT | APRIL 28, 2024 | YANGON
Gain insight into the religious devotion of Myanmar’s people by visiting temples from the 11th through 13th centuries that are representative of countless others. Ananda Temple is considered a masterpiece of Mon architecture, while Sulamani Temple displays some of Bagan’s finest ornamental work. The gold-plated Shwezigon Pagoda is an architectural gem so stunning that its design became the prototype for thousands of pagodas that followed. Bagan is also renowned for exquisite lacquerware and watching artisans create it using traditional methods is an eye-opener.
AUTHENTIC INLE LAKE
1 NIGHT | APRIL 28, 2024 | YANGON
Marvel at the extraordinary while cruising beautiful Inle Lake, which nestles between two mountain ranges in Myanmar. Curiosities along the way include a Buddhist temple whose monks have trained
cats to jump through hoops and a pagoda with Buddha statues covered with so much gold that it obscures their original forms. Even the fishermen are unconventional, as they row with one leg to keep their hands free to manage their cone-shaped nets. Enjoy memorable encounters with residents belonging to the Intha tribe at a floating market.
TAJ MAHAL: THE ETERNAL MASTERPIECE
3 NIGHTS | MAY 4, 2024 | COCHIN to MUMBAI
Surrender to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love and architectural splendor whose appearance changes chameleon-like as the day unfolds. Pale pink at dawn, it may look translucent blue at dusk when you gaze upon it again. Between visits, explore the wonders of the former Mughal Empire. Options include the fanciful imperial city within Agra Fort, the Mughal capital Fatehpur Sikri and a mausoleum that inspired the Taj Mahal’s design. A delightful day in Delhi, shopping in Agra and a private astrological consultation add cultural texture.
HIMALAYAN KINDGOM OF NEPAL
3 NIGHTS | MAY 4, 2024 | COCHIN to MUMBAI
Become immersed in the culture of Nepal, a country shaped in many ways by the snowcapped Himalayas. That backdrop looks especially dramatic while flying by iconic Mount Everest, yet the cities may be even more striking. Extraordinary stupas rise above Patan, Newari architecture graces Kathmandu and all of medieval Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unusual cultural opportunities include an audience with a Kumari living goddess, watching an Aarti prayer offering at a Hindu temple and seeing how singing bowls are used to heal by sound.
TIGERS & THE PINK CITY
3 NIGHTS | MAY 4, 2024 | COCHIN to MUMBAI
Revel in the contrast of exploring the pink-hued city of Jaipur and then traveling into the wilds of Ranthambore National Park to view indigenous species. First painted pink in 1876 as a sign of hospitality, Jaipur still delights with architectural treasures such as Amber Fort and its royal observatory, both extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites. Safari-style game drives through Ranthambore’s jungles and gorges present wonders of a different stripe as you may observe Bengal tigers, sloth bears and sambar, India’s largest native deer.
AJANTA & ELLORA CAVES
3 NIGHTS | MAY 5, 2024 | MANGALORE to MUMBAI
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage site cave complexes, both hand-cut from solid rock to create religious sanctuaries. The 2nd-century-BC Ajanta Caves contain arguably the world’s most important Buddhist wall paintings. The colors are still vibrant, thanks to an infrared restoration process that removed centuries of grime. The Ellora Caves are noteworthy because their stone sanctuaries are devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, a clear illustration of ancient India’s religious tolerance. The enormous, heavily ornamented Kailasa temple there was carved from a single block of stone.
LUXOR & THE PYRAMIDS
1 NIGHT | MAY 24, 2024 | SAFAGA
If the temples and tombs in the Valley of the Kings aren’t enough to bedazzle your inner Egyptologist, the treasures awaiting in Cairo will be the tipping point. See monumental Luxor Temple, another temple that the only female pharaoh built and the Colossi of Memnon that stands sentinel over the valley’s sprawling necropolis. Priceless relics found in the tombs are displayed in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx make quite the finale.
THE JEWELS OF LUXOR
1 NIGHT | MAY 24, 2024 | SAFAGA
Explore a litany of fabled tombs in ancient Egypt’s royal burial grounds, beginning with the Karnak and Luxor temples, which a two-mile avenue lined with small sphinxes once connected. King Tut’s tomb still remains the most famous, as it held fabulous riches when excavated. His mummy is displayed there in a climate-controlled glass box. Queen Nefertari’s tomb nearby is renowned for its colorful wall paintings that have defied the ravages of time. Cruising the Nile in a traditional dahabeya boat allows time to reflect on the sights.