2014 - 2015 Tour List

Discover the natural history and cultures of the world with American Museum of Natural History Expeditions

www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

Expeditions

Experiences of a Lifetime by Private Jet

October 31 – November 16, 2014(17 days)Starting at $59,950

Experiences of a Lifetime is a journey that captures a life’s worth of adventures in a single trip. It is specifically designed to feature iconic sights and activities that should top any traveler’s wish list, including Petra, the Taj Mahal and trekking to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. These unforgettable moments are connected by one seamless journey by private jet, in which we fly direct and land as close as possible to our destinations to enhance your experience.

Indulge your every passion as you spend your days engaged in constant discovery—and your nights at some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts. Along the way, you will travel with anthropologist Alex de Voogt and other distinguished lecturers and seasoned expedition staff and meet local experts to give you greater insight into the people and cultures we encounter.

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JordanEncounter the history, legends and archaeology of the Lost City of Petra with your expert local guide or channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia in the otherworldly landscapes of Wadi Rum.

IndiaDelve into the Blue City of Jodhpur and stay at a maharajah’s palace. Ride a camel and dine under the stars in the Thar Desert. And no trip is complete without seeing the Taj.

The MaldivesSnorkel in blue lagoons among gentle manta rays and other fascinating marine life before relaxing in your luxurious overwater villa.

RwandaHike through the verdant bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to visit endangered mountain gorillas. Explore Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and cultural heart.

MoroccoWander through Marrakech and haggle for carpets over a cup of sweet mint tea, enjoying the souk’s many street musicians, sword swallowers and snake charmers.

www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

Voyage to Antarctica

December 26, 2014 – January 7, 2015(13 days)Starting at $9,990

Only in the last 100 years have legendary explorers like Ernest Shackleton opened up the world’s last frontier, and this winter—high summer in the Southern Hemisphere—we invite you on what may be the most extraordinary travel experience of your life.

This superb voyage enables you to discover Antarctica’s spectacles from the comfort of the 100-guest, all-suite Corinthian, one of the most luxurious small ships cruising Antarctic waters. Geologist Christine Siddoway along with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable experts will enlighten travelers throughout the voyage via lectures, presentations, and on-site nature observation.

Corinthian envelops you in a cocoon of elegance as you cruise south from Ushuaia and head to the Antarctic Convergence, watching civilization slip away and nature’s majesty emerge. Albatross and petrel whirl across the ship’s bow. Glaciers calve into the ice-blue sea, while wind sculpts soft patterns upon the icebergs. Humpback and minke whales swim gracefully alongside the ship. Light plays dramatically on the frozen landscapes.

3www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

Encounter Antarctic wildlife.

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands, where shore landings by sturdy Zodiac landing craft may include visits to 10,000-strong penguin rookeries, old whaling stations, operational research stations, and elephant seal colonies.

Enjoy a shore landing on Paradise Bay.

Around the World by Private Jet

January 10 – February 2, 2015(24 days)Starting at $76,950

This innovative Around the World journey features new highlights along with several classic experiences that should be on every world traveler’s life list. From the islands of Palau and the Seychelles, the incredible temples of Myanmar, to safari and wildlife experiences in the Okavango Delta and Namibia, to the vibrant cities of Rio and Cartegena, this itinerary takes you inside some of the world’s less-traveled places. Along the way, you meet countless people who will share their cultures with you.

Anthropologist Alex de Voogt and other world-class experts give informative lectures to illuminate the places we visit.

4www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

24 DAYS, 9 DESTINATIONS, 1 INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

PalauCruise through the Rock Islands and snorkel in pristine waters. Examine a treasure trove of World War II artifacts during a guided visit to a historic battle site.

MyanmarExperience this land of ancient Buddhist temples and multiple cultures, largely untouched by the modern world.

BhutanExamine the architecture throughout the stunning Paro Valley; visit villages or hike the Tiger’s Nest for striking views.

BotswanaGo on safari in the Okavango Delta, or explore the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.

ColombiaExplore a 16th-century hilltop fortress and visit the stunning cathedral in Cartegena, or snorkel the Rosario Islands.

5www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

April 15 - 27, 2015(13 days) Starting at $7,995

Traveling through northern Spain and southern France, explore ten major prehistoric caves plus two exact replicas; visit superb archaeological, ethnographic, and art museums; and admire charming medieval architecture. Highlights include visits to Altamira II and Lascaux II, exact reproductions of the most remarkable prehistoric sites ever discovered; Atapuerca, which has provided the earliest and most abundant evidence of humankind in Europe; Cueva del Castillo, where 180 animal likenesses were painted some 12,000-14,000 years ago; and Pech Merle, known for its “negative handprints.” Along the way, savor wonderful food and fine wines, and relax in excellent accommodations.

Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & FranceInvestigate European Ice Age art sites with anthropologist Ian Tattersall

Visit the beautiful Dordogne valley, and incredible sites in the region.

6www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

April 16 - 26, 2015(11 days) Starting at $5,995

Floating in the Atlantic Ocean nearly a thousand miles from the mainland, the lush green Azores are dotted with picturesque villages, pristine beaches, and volcanic craters. Explore these beautiful islands, once a favorite target of pirates and now a peaceful autonomous region of Portugal, aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II, one of the most luxurious vessels afloat.

Each island visited has its own special character: São Miguel’s geothermal hot springs, steaming geysers, and crater lakes; Pico’s whale-hunting turned whale-conservation history; the wine-making tradition of Terceira; and lovely Santa Maria, prized for its beautiful beaches.

En route to Lisbon, enjoy a diverse educational program featuring geologist Kirt Kempter and a team of experts in the fields of deep-sea exploration, volcanoes and plate tectonics, the relationship between architecture and culture, and travel photography.

Sailing the Atlantic: The Azores to Lisbon aboard Sea Cloud II With an optional extension to Lisbon and Sintra

Guests aboard Sea Cloud II will enjoy the amenities of a five-star cruise, the atmosphere of a romantic tall ship, and the thrill of sailing beneath 30,000 square feet of billowing hand-set sails.

Sail along spectacular jagged cliffs dotted with picturesque villages.

AFRICA by Private Jet

May 12 – June 3, 2015(23 days)Starting at $84,950

Explore this majestic continent in one seamless trip. Discover wildlife and natural wonders of the Seychelles, Serengeti, Walvis Bay, the Namib Desert, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls. Track gorillas in the forest of Volanoes National Park in Rwanda. Visit the monolithic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Experience a classic train journey aboard Rovos Rail, take in the stunning vista of Table Mountain in Cape Town, and fly by helicopter to the Cape of Good Hope.

Anthropologist Ian Tattersall and local expert guides and naturalists enhance your journey with thought-provoking lectures and on-site commentary.

7www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

EthiopiaExplore the cool, candlelit interiors and richly decorated grottoes of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela as priests quietly perform their daily rituals.

SeychellesSnorkel in seas brimming with marine life and wander through forests of unique flora while searching for bird life.

TanzaniaWitness the migration of the Serengeti Plain’s wildebeest as they move by the thousands alongside zebra and gazelle or fly to Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world.

South AfricaTravel aboard historic Rovos Rail, a meticulously restored train dating from the 1930s. Ride a cable car in Cape Town and fly by helicopter to the Cape of Good Hope.

NamibiaSpot playful seals , rare pelicans, and flamingos. View the colossal dunes of the Namib Desert that meet the crashing surf of the Atlantic.

BotswanaExplore the Okavango Delta, a wetland oasis where you are as likely to spot lion, elephant, and cheetah as you are crocodile.

History’s Lost Cities by Private Jet

November 1 - 23, 2015(23 days)Starting at $68,950

This journey highlights cities with mysterious intriguing pasts, legendary art, architecture, cultural heritage and outstanding scenery. Step back in time to the Persian capital of Baku, Azerbaijan and discover Shirvanshah’s Palace. In Samarkand, visit Registan Square and its assembly of buildings with exquisitely decorated madrassas, fluted domes and minarets. Spend two nights in bustling Kathmandu before visiting the sacred Buddhist city of Lhasa. Explore Luang Prabang’s golden temples and the city’s charming French colonial boulevards. Seize the opportunity to visit Myanmar – one of the world’s foremost emerging destinations. Then visit the Taj Mahal, the Mughal Empire masterpiece. Explore the Lost City of Petra, an archaeological masterpiece half-built, half-carved into the red cliffs.

Along the way, anthropologist Laurel Kendall, along with local guides and experts take you behind the scenes and inside the culture of each destination. Upscale hotels that reflect the local style and customs provide a relaxing reprieve after a day of activities.

8www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

Baku, AzerbaijanFormerly a Persian capital and a booming oil town, Baku is now an exciting mix of ancient structures and modern life.

Samarkand, UzbekistanThe crossroads of the world’s cultures, Samarkand is rich in stunning architecture, exquisite ceramic art, and ornate textiles.

Kathmandu, Nepal and Lhasa, TibetVisit Bodnath, Asia’s largest stupa, and the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Explore the sacred Buddhist city of Lhasa and the lavishly ornamented Potala Palace, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.

Luang Prabang, LaosDiscover Luang Prabang’s golden temples, shimmering halls of the Royal Palace and the city’s charming French colonial boulevards.

Alex de Voogt is a curator of African Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History. He has published on topics as diverse as the archaeology of Nubia, the survival of indigenous scripts, and seventh-century Islam. He is a leading expert on the history of board games and their development along human migration and trade routes. Dr. de Voogt has conducted research in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and South and East Asia. He has directed a research expedition to the Maldives, and recently he joined an archaeology mission in northern Sudan. > Experiences of a Lifetime by Private Jet; Around the World by Private Jet

Kirt Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and PhD graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he conducted his dissertation research on Rincón de la Vieja volcano in Costa Rica. For the past 11 years he has worked for the New Mexico STATEMAP program, studying the geologic history of northern New Mexico. He is also an instructor for the NASA astronaut training program, teaching NASA’s 2009 astronaut candidates geologic-mapping techniques in northern New Mexico. He has conducted studies of plate tectonics and volcanism around the world, including Iceland, Costa Rica, and Mexico.. > Sailing the Atlantic: The Azores to Lisbon

Laurel Kendall, Curator of Asian Ethnographic Collections at the American Museum of Natural History and Chair of the Anthropology Division, is an anthropologist and specialist on the cultures of East Asia with a focus on ritual, gender, shamans, magic, and questions of tradition and modernity. Dr. Kendall has curated three major exhibitions at the Museum including Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind, and Spirit, the first major collaboration between a U.S. and a Vietnamese museum and is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles. Dr. Kendall has traveled extensively throughout East, Central, and Southeast Asia for longer than she will admit in print. > History’s Lost Cities by Private Jet

Christine Siddoway is professor of geology at Colorado College and has 11 seasons of experience in Antarctica. She has a broad knowledge of Antarctica’s biological communities and its distinctive climate and ocean environment. Her first journey in the Scotia Sea involved landings at several sites to be visited on this trip: Deception Island, the Elephant Island group that sheltered Shackleton’s famous Endurance party, Petermann Island, and Anvers Island.> Voyage to Antarctica

Ian Tattersall, AMNH curator emeritus, is an expert on physical anthropology and human evolution. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University. Trained in geology as well as in archaeology and anthropology, he has carried out field research on living primates and has collected fossils throughout the world. Dr. Tattersall has written several books, including Masters of the Planet and Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness, which examine cave art and the origins of human creativity.> Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & France; Africa by Private Jet

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www.amnhexpeditions.org | expeditions@amnh.org | 1-800-462-8687

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