Explore some of the world’s most iconic places on our flagship private jet journey. During this breathtaking trip around the world, explore cultural and natural treasures that have inspired and captured the imagination of humankind for centuries! And you'll travel in supreme comfort aboard our fully customized private jet, outfitted with fully reclining flatbed seats with space for no more than 52 guests.

Starting at: $104,950 * Price includes special offer Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question or Call 866-903-7650
Moai on Easter Island Historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu Textile artisans, Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco. Credit: Richard Stanoss Australia's Great Barrier Reef Masked Butterfly Fish, the Great Barrier Reef Clown fish amid the anemone, the Great Barrier Reef Swimming with tortoise, Great Barrier Reef Sunrise at Angkor Wat Monk at Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat Monks at Angkor Wat The ethereal Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal, Agra The Taj Mahal, Agra The newly restored Palace of the Winds in Jaipur Viewing lions during a game drive Elephants at a watering hole Giraffes on the savanna Wildebeest, cranes, and flamingos along the water, Ngorongoro Crater The Treasury at Petra Petra's dramatic Treasury from the siq Nomadic tent in Jordan's Wadi Rum Djemaa El Fna at dusk, Marrakech The Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakech Design and architecture of Morocco Pyramids of Giza and the mythical Sphinx (Oct & Dec 2022 departures) Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor (Oct & Dec 2022 departures) A felucca sets sail on the Nile near Luxor (Oct & Dec 2022 departures) African leopard pauses for an afternoon nap, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Dec 2022 departure) African bush elephant mother and her young, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Dec 2022 departure) The warm welcome of the Maasai people, Kenya (Dec 2022 departure)

Around the World: A Private Jet Journey

24 days from $104,950

Explore some of the world’s most iconic places on our flagship private jet journey. During this breathtaking trip around the world, explore cultural and natural treasures that have inspired and captured the imagination of humankind for centuries! And you'll travel in supreme comfort aboard our fully customized private jet, outfitted with fully reclining flatbed seats with space for no more than 52 guests.

or Call 866-903-7650

To view a section, please click on an option below.

Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, United States

Located directly on the beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale is an elegant retreat on Florida’s Gold Coast. Relax by the heated infinity pool or in the shade of an oceanfront cabana, and recharge in your spacious guest room with a balcony that overlooks the ocean or intracoastal waterway. Sumptuous marble bath features separate tub and shower and premium bath essentials. There is a full-service restaurant as well as a café poolside. Also on site is an expansive fitness center and full service spa.

We will begin and conclude our March 20-April 12, 2022, August 29-September 21, 2022, October 5-28, 2022 and March 14-April 6, 2023 programs at The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale.

Number of nights: 2

Belmond Monasterio

Cusco, Peru

Originally constructed over 300 years ago as the San Antonio Seminary, the Belmond Hotel Monasterio has been restored to provide all the luxury, ease, and comforts of a modern hotel property. Guest rooms reflect their origins as the home for the Jesuit seminarians, decorated in a combination of modern and traditional Spanish colonial styles. Set in the center of town, the hotel is surrounded by shops where you can find local handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry. All guest rooms are oxygen-enriched and equipped with a telephone, mini bar, in-room safe, cable television, and hair dryers. 

Number of nights: 3

Hotel Costa del Sol Trujillo Centro

Trujillo, Peru

Attentive and warm service greets guests to the North Coast of Peru at the Hotel Costa del Sol Trujillo Centro. With a prime location at the corner of the city’s main plaza, it is only 10 minutes away from the Incan Chan Chan ruins and the Sun and Moon Temples. The hotel features a variety of services and amenities, including a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, and fitness center. 

Number of nights: 2

Miraflores Park: A Belmond Hotel

Lima, Peru

Set in one of Lima’s most fashionable areas, the Miraflores Park takes you straight to the heart of all that's best about this great capital city. There are 89 suites, exceptional dining options and a full service lounge. Guest rooms are sumptuously appointed with all the modern amenities, plush bedding and spacious marble bathrooms. There is a full service gym, spa and a heated roof-top pool with stunning views of the Pacific coast. The Miraflores Park will accommodate guests returning from the North Coast of Peru optional program.

Number of nights: 1

Nayara Hangaroa

Easter Island, Chile

This property uses natural materials, such as cypress trunks and volcanic rock, to create seamless harmony with the landscape. The spacious sea view deck allows for peaceful stargazing and relaxation.

Number of nights: 2



Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

Nadi, Fiji

The beautiful waterfront resort unfolds across 26 acres of lush gardens with views extending across Nadi Bay. Every one of the 296 luxury rooms and suites faces the ocean. Fresh seasonal dining, proud displays of local Fijian culture, and an abundance of recreational facilities including a full spa await. 

Number of nights: 1

Pullman Sea Temple Resort & Spa

Port Douglas, Australia

Set on nearly 10 acres, the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa features extensive gardens and water features, including a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, pool bar, and direct beach access. Guest rooms are equipped with all the modern amenities and private balconies or terraces. 

Number of nights: 2

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Located just five miles from Angkor Wat, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor hotel has been restored to its original colonial architecture and features steam baths, a stunning 35-meter lap pool, and shops full of local crafts. Rooms are appointed with high ceilings and four-poster bed. There is a full-service restaurant as well as a charming lounge on site. 

Number of nights: 3

Phum Baitang

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Located close to vibrant Siem Reap and ancient Angkor Wat, Phum Baitang offers unique and sumptuous individual guest villa accommodations that capture the essence of traditional Khmer homes, raised on stilts with high-ceilings, walls of woven bamboo, hand-picked antiques, beautifully aged wooden floors and shutters, all overlooking a storybook setting. There are two restaurants on site serving inspired Cambodian and International cuisine. The hotel’s spa, set amid tropical gardens, offers holistic treatments and therapies (services are at an additional charge) and there is also a spectacular resort-style pool for relaxing and refreshment.

Accommodations at Phum Baitang will be included while in Siem Reap, Cambodia on our December 29, 2022 – January 21, 2023 departure only.

Number of nights: 3



Rambagh Palace

Jaipur, India

Originally built in 1835, Rambagh Palace has stepped gracefully through many royal transitions—from the home of the queen’s favorite handmaiden, to royal guesthouse and hunting lodge and later as the residence of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his queen, Maharani Gayatri Devi. Today, this hotel offers 78 stunningly restored guest suites, which were the chambers of the former Maharaja. The palace retains its elaborate splendor, extravagantly decorated with hand-carved marble jalis or latticework, sandstone balustrades, cupolas, and chattris or cenotaphs, and elaborate Mughal Gardens. Each Palace guest room has been redesigned for comfort with a four-poster bed or twin bed, walk-in wardrobe, and a spacious bathroom. The property features several award-winning restaurants and a sprawling spa facility with a host of treatment options to choose from.

Number of nights: 2



Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Serengeti, Tanzania

Located within the Serengeti National Park, this lodge features 77 guest rooms, all with stunning views of the Serengeti plains. This property combines the intimacy of a lodge and the facilities expected of a much larger hotel, such as an infinity pool, restaurants serving a mix of African and international cuisine, a bar, a fitness center, a spa, and a Discovery center where you can learn more about the people and wildlife in the region. 
African textiles, local art, and grand four-poster beds draped in decorative mosquito netting create the ideal retreat after a thrilling African safari. Guest rooms offer en suite bathrooms with hair dryer, satellite TV and audio channels, and a deck for relaxing while looking for wildlife. 

We will be visiting Tanzania and staying at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge on our March 20-April 12, 2022, August 29-September 21, 2022, October 5-28, 2022, March 14 – April 6, 2023 and October 5 – 28, 2023 departures.

Number of nights: 3

&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Perched on the rim of the crater, the stilted mud and thatch suites at the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge are elegantly decorated with hand-crafted woods, brick fireplaces, carved Zanzibari doors, Oriental rugs, chandeliers created by Masai women, leather armchairs and four-poster beds with electric blankets. Bathrooms include spacious showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. Floor-to ceiling windows offer spectacular views. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas and private butlers to provide warm, personalized service to each guest. 

We will be visiting Tanzania and will have the option to stay at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge on our March 20 - April 12, 2022, August 29 - September 21, 2022, October 5-28, 2022, March 14 - April 6, 2023 and October 5-28, 2023 departures.

Number of nights: 3

Angama Mara

Masai Mara, Kenya

Set on the edge of an escarpment, Angama Mara boasts views that stretch as far as the eye can see across the Masai Mara set 300 meters below. The elegant tented suites have been designed to make the most of the extraordinary views of the Masai Mara from every corner – from the bed, the bath, the sitting area, the shower. Spanning over 100 square meters, tented suites all include spacious decks for in-room dining, massage treatments and red rocking chair safaris. Private guest baths feature brass finishes, double vanity basins A handsome drinks cabinet, The writing desk with ample charging points and WiFi.  

We will be visiting Kenya and staying at Angama Mara Tented Camp on our December 29, 2022 – January 21, 2023 departure only. 

Number of nights: 2



Mövenpick Resort Petra

Petra, Jordan

The Mövenpick Resort Petra was chosen for its prime location just a short stroll from the entrance to Petra, one of the world’s most fascinating ancient cities. The property blends Middle Eastern craftsmanship with a more modern western design. Guest rooms feature contemporary furnishings and fixtures and spacious bathrooms. There are several dining options available including a casual coffee bar, lounge, poolside café and more formal restaurants offering a variety of fare.  

We will be visiting Jordan and staying at the Mövenpick Resort Petra on our March 20 - April 12, 2022, August 29 - September 21, 2022, and March 14 - April 6, 2023 departures. 

Number of nights: 2

Discovery Bedu Camp

Petra, Jordan

Remote and secluded, these tented suites are tastefully decorated to blend in with the local surroundings and allow for mesmerizing views at sunset and spectacular stargazing at night. Each tented suite has a private deck with views of the stunning desert landscape, sand dunes, and mountains. The suites contain either a king size bed or two twin beds with a small sitting area as well as a space for luggage and a hanging closet. There are en suite bathrooms with hot & cold rain shower, a copper washbasin, and private flushable toilet. This tented camp is an upgrade option and is at an additional cost to the price of the trip. Your Smithsonian Journeys Private Jet Specialist will be delighted to provide you with full details of this offering.

We will be visiting Jordan and will have the option to stay at the Discovery Bedu Camp on our March 20 - April 12, 2022, August 29 - September 21, 2022, and March 14 - April 6, 2023 departures.

See the Tripadvisor page for Discovery Bedu Camp.  

Number of nights: 2

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa

Luxor, Egypt

Located on the banks of the Nile River, this property offers uninterrupted views of the city and is the ideal base to explore the region's rich and ancient culture. Facilities include fine restaurants, two infinity pools, and spa. The spacious guest rooms offer the comforts of home, including high speed Internet access, LCD TV, DVD player, hair dryer, and city or garden views.

We will be visiting Luxor, Egypt on our October 5-28, 2022, December 29, 2022-January 21, 2023 and October 5-28, 2023 departures only. 

Number of nights: 2



La Mamounia

Marrakech, Morocco

La Mamounia overlooks the famous Red Ochre Ramparts of Marrakech’s old city. This art deco palace is known for its interiors and architectural styling, as well as its ideal location at Avenue Bab Jdid. Guest rooms feature luxury amenities including a spacious bathroom with a separate shower stall, garden or mountain views, an in-room safe and a mini bar. This property features a luxury spa, swimming pool, gardens, gourmet restaurants, two lounges and fitness room. 

La Mamounia is offered as an accommodation option during our time in Marrakech on our March 20 - April 12, 2022,  August 29 - September 21, 2022, October 5-28, 2022, March 14 - April 6, 2023 and October 5-28, 2023 departures.  

Number of nights: 2



Four Seasons Resort Marrakech

Marrakech, Morocco

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech features lofty views of the Atlas Mountains and sun-filled Marrakech. Luxury hotel rooms are as calming and secluded as they are inspiring and open. The resort also features five outstanding resort restaurants, bars, and trendy lounges.

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is offered as an accommodation option during our time in Marrakech on our December 29, 2022 - January 21, 2023 departure. 

Number of nights: 2

White Camel Tented Camp

Marrakech, Morocco

Overlooking rolling hills, magnificent canyons, and the flickering lights of Marrakech and surrounded on all sides by breathtaking desert landscape this luxurious campsite provides an unforgettable experiences under the desert stars. Featuring 20 luxuriously designed tents, each features a comfortable king or twin size bed and is decorated with customized wooden furniture with a mix of traditional Berber and modern Moroccan design. Tents are equipped with a hot water shower, toilet, and sink. Outside, a private wooden terrace complete with Berber cushions and chairs is a relaxing place to observe the nighttime desert sky. There is a pool, sundeck and restaurant on site. Additional activities such as guided hiking, horseback riding and camel trekking are available (additional fee). This tented camp is an upgrade option and is at an additional cost to the trip price. Availability is limited so we recommend you book early to ensure your place. Your Smithsonian Journeys Private Jet Specialist will be delighted to provide you with full details of this offering.

White Camel Tented Camp is offered as an accommodation option during our time in Marrakech on our March 20 - April 12, 2022,  August 29 - September 21, 2022 and March 14 - April 6, 2023 departures. 

Number of nights: 2

La Maison Arabe

Marrakech, Morocco

Experience the soul of Moroccan hospitality at this luxurious riad-hotel set in the heart of the ancient medina of Marrakech. An authentic haven of tranquility that echoes the city’s rich history, heritage, and culture. The hotel features just 32 rooms and suites, charming havens of comfort and refinement, which are set around the patio or on the garden side of the hotel, or in the privacy of the adjoining douiria. Guest rooms are each unique in layout and design, combining contemporary elegance with Moroccan decorative elements. Most have a fireplace and a private balcony or terrace where you can enjoy a drink under the stars. Bathrooms are crafted from Moroccan marble and granite. 

La Maison Arabe is offered as an accommodation option during our time in Marrakech on our October 5-28, 2022, October 5-28, 2023 and December 29, 2022 - January 21, 2023 departures. 

Number of nights: 2

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida

Orlando, Florida, United States

Inspired by the grand palazzos of Italy, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes features sumptuous guest suites with spacious layouts, luxurious bathrooms, indulgent bedding, and walkout balconies. There is a large resort pool, lighted tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, and a 40,000 square foot spa as well as several dining options on-site. The hotel is just 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

We will begin our December 29, 2022– January 21, 2023 and October 5-28, 2023 programs at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Number of nights: 1



Hyatt Regency International Airport - Orlando

Orlando, Florida, United States

Located inside of the main terminal at Orlando International Airport, the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport puts you just steps from the main terminal and connecting flights home. Guest rooms are spacious and provide all the modern amenities and there are several dining options on site.

We will conclude our December 29, 2022 - January 21, 2023 and October 5-28, 2023 programs at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. 

Number of nights: 1

Activity Level

Activity Level 3:  Moderate / Active

Expectations: 

Our Around the World itinerary is an active and ambitious program that will be taken at a moderate pace with many early morning departures and longer days so you can experience the best of these nine incredible destinations. When we depart each destination, we'll fly during the day to allow for rest and overnight accommodations in the finest hotels and resorts available along our route. This trip will travel great distances and experience frequent time zone changes, which can affect energy levels. You should be physically active and in good general health, especially prior to departure. This trip will include plenty of physical activities—including walking, hiking, and snorkeling—in addition to activities designed to offer cultural or historical context. Each excursion offered will entail a different level of physical expectation, with many that will require walks from one to three miles and last from two to three hours. At some locations you will be traveling to high altitudes including Cusco, Peru at 11,200 feet; Machu Picchu, Peru at 8,000 feet; and for those who choose the Ngorongoro Crater alternate, at 8,000 feet. If you wish to avoid these destinations, alternative choices are available. All excursions will take place rain or shine and some of the destinations will be warm with strong sun. In more remote spots, expect to walk and hike along groomed trails, some that can have steep inclines and declines. There may be trails and pathways that can be uneven and sandy or rocky, with uneven steps, pebbles, mud, and exposed roots or that will be slippery and muddy if it has recently rained. Specific inoculations will be required to take part in this journey. Details on how to prepare for this trip and information on each day’s activities, including weather, packing suggestions, and “what to expect” will be included with your Pre-Tour documents.

Countries on this itinerary are not immune to events that could require an itinerary change. Weather, political occurrences, and visits by dignitaries can require extra flexibility to accommodate the unexpected event or events.
 

This Private Jet Journey is appropriate for: Travelers who are reasonably fit and healthy, enjoy days full of discovery and adventure, and are comfortable with many early mornings to see the most of these destinations. *As part of registering for this trip, all participants will need to be evaluated by their private physician to be sure the program and pacing is suitable for them. 

For travelers who do require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements can be made for private touring at each destination if necessary, at the discretion of tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the individual guest.

A Note About COVID-19 Protocols

The destinations on this journey are being thoroughly monitored now and will be throughout the trip via expert in-country consultants and partners, and with proprietary disease prevalence and trend data tools. If there is an increased risk visiting any of the countries, there is an ability to change the itinerary as needed, even while the trip is under way, which is one of the advantages of private jet travel. This program will also include a dedicated physician who will screen and monitor guests, staff, and flight crew health both prior to departure and throughout the trip. There will also be a daily monitoring of guests and staff as well as testing, as required by the destinations on the trip, and administered by the on-board physician. Additional cleaning and hygiene protocols will be in place. Hotel partners and in-country operations teams will ensure that hygiene standards and practices meet our elevated requirements. Personal hygiene kits expressly developed for this trip will be distributed to guests and refreshed throughout the journey.

Aircraft

Our private jets provide supreme comfort and flexibility along with the convenience of flying direct, avoiding delays and layovers you‘d experience flying commercially. And with our aircraft we have both long-range capabilities and the ability to land at smaller airports, so we can maximize your time spent at each destination. While onboard enjoy the exceptional service of your dedicated cabin crew while you savor delicious multi-course chef-prepared meals. Plus you‘ll be fully prepared for each destination with our complement of informative presentations and briefings by your Smithsonian Journeys expert and experienced tour staff. Then stretch out on your flatbed seat for rest and relaxation as you are whisked from one destination to the next. Learn more about our aircraft and your flying experience below.

Boeing 757

The Boeing 757 Private Jet will be utilized for our March 20-April 12, 2022, October 5-28, 2022, December 29, 2022-January 21, 2023 and March 14-April 6, 2023 programs and is configured to accommodate just 48 guests with a large and spacious cabin with 2 x 2 seating across a single-aisle and custom-made leather flatbed seats that offer a full flat 180-degree recline and a host of additional recline options for your ultimate comfort as you fly. Seats are equipped with individual power connections to recharge batteries for cameras or laptop computers, with standard U.S. outlet compatibility. There is an in-flight entertainment system to give you a variety of options for relaxation, and an onboard presentation system for when enrichment activities are offered. Your friendly and helpful cabin crew of seven are there to greet you at each destination and make the jet a home-away-from-home as you fly. An onboard chef plans and supervises all food preparation, and in-flight menus feature dishes using only the freshest ingredients. The jet carries a wide variety of beverages, and bottled water is always available. 

Your professional crew also include:

  • Two pilots
  • Engineer
  • Luggage/arrivals manager
  • Chef
  • Trip physician
  • Expedition leader
  • Assistant expedition leaders
  • Professional photographer 
  • Destination experts including a Smithsonian Journeys Expert
Fiji Islands

Airbus A321

The Airbus A321 Private Jet will be utilized for our August 29-September 21, 2022 and October 5-28, 2023 programs and is configured to accommodate just 52 guests with a large and spacious cabin with 2 x 2 seating across a single-aisle and custom-made leather flatbed seats that offer a full flat 180-degree recline and a host of additional recline options for your ultimate comfort as you fly. Seats are equipped with individual power connections to recharge batteries for cameras or laptop computers, with standard U.S. outlet compatibility. There is an in-flight entertainment system to give you a variety of options for relaxation, and an onboard presentation system for when enrichment activities are offered. Your friendly and helpful cabin crew of seven are there to greet you at each destination and make the jet a home-away-from-home as you fly. An onboard chef plans and supervises all food preparation, and in-flight menus feature dishes using only the freshest ingredients. The jet carries a wide variety of beverages, and bottled water is always available. 

Your professional crew also include:

  • Two pilots
  • Engineer
  • Luggage/arrivals manager
  • Chef
  • Trip physician
  • Expedition leader
  • Assistant expedition leaders
  • Professional photographer 
  • Destination experts including a Smithsonian Journeys Expert

Boeing 757

The Boeing 757 Private Jet will be utilized for our March 20-April 12, 2022, October 5-28, 2022, December 29, 2022-January 21, 2023 and March 14-April 6, 2023 programs and is configured to accommodate just 48 guests with a large and spacious cabin with 2 x 2 seating across a single-aisle and custom-made leather flatbed seats that offer a full flat 180-degree recline and a host of additional recline options for your ultimate comfort as you fly. Seats are equipped with individual power connections to recharge batteries for cameras or laptop computers, with standard U.S. outlet compatibility. There is an in-flight entertainment system to give you a variety of options for relaxation, and an onboard presentation system for when enrichment activities are offered. Your friendly and helpful cabin crew of seven are there to greet you at each destination and make the jet a home-away-from-home as you fly. An onboard chef plans and supervises all food preparation, and in-flight menus feature dishes using only the freshest ingredients. The jet carries a wide variety of beverages, and bottled water is always available. 

Your professional crew also include:

  • Two pilots
  • Engineer
  • Luggage/arrivals manager
  • Chef
  • Trip physician
  • Expedition leader
  • Assistant expedition leaders
  • Professional photographer 
  • Destination experts including a Smithsonian Journeys Expert
Fiji Islands

Airbus A321

The Airbus A321 Private Jet will be utilized for our August 29-September 21, 2022 and October 5-28, 2023 programs and is configured to accommodate just 52 guests with a large and spacious cabin with 2 x 2 seating across a single-aisle and custom-made leather flatbed seats that offer a full flat 180-degree recline and a host of additional recline options for your ultimate comfort as you fly. Seats are equipped with individual power connections to recharge batteries for cameras or laptop computers, with standard U.S. outlet compatibility. There is an in-flight entertainment system to give you a variety of options for relaxation, and an onboard presentation system for when enrichment activities are offered. Your friendly and helpful cabin crew of seven are there to greet you at each destination and make the jet a home-away-from-home as you fly. An onboard chef plans and supervises all food preparation, and in-flight menus feature dishes using only the freshest ingredients. The jet carries a wide variety of beverages, and bottled water is always available. 

Your professional crew also include:

  • Two pilots
  • Engineer
  • Luggage/arrivals manager
  • Chef
  • Trip physician
  • Expedition leader
  • Assistant expedition leaders
  • Professional photographer 
  • Destination experts including a Smithsonian Journeys Expert
Reading List
 Print this Reading List

Recommended for the Journey

Seeing the Universe from Here: Field Notes from My Smithsonian Travels
By: G. Wayne Clough
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Around the World in 80 Days
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Natural History (Smithsonian)
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A landmark in reference publishing and overseen and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, Natural History presents an unrivaled visual survey of Earth's natural history. Giving a clear overview of the classification of our natural world-over 6,000 species-Natural History looks at every kingdom of life, from bacteria, minerals, and rocks to fossils to plants and animals. Featuring a remarkable array of specially commissioned photographs, Natural History looks at thousands of specimens and species displayed in visual galleries that take the reader on an incredible journey from the most fundamental building blocks of the world's landscapes, through the simplest of life forms, to plants, fungi, and animals.
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Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide, 3rd Edition
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With more than 1 million copies sold, this updated and revised celebration of the animal kingdom features photos and descriptions of over 2,000 species and habitats.Bringing animals, habitats, and up-to-date research to life for readers around the world, Animal explores the creatures that have fascinated and inspired humans for years, from intrepid Emperor penguins to fierce Siberian tigers, to the very intelligent and highly communicative humpback whale. This updated edition introduces the olinguito, the adorable, recently discovered mammal that looks like a cross between a cat and a teddy bear, and the Skywalker gibbon found in the tropical forests of Yunnan Province in southwest China and Myanmar. Perfect for gift-giving.Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution.
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The Big History of Civilizations
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Additional Recommended Reading for Peru

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time
By: Mark Adams
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu?In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.Turn Right at Machu Picchu is Adams’ fascinating and funny account of his journey through some of the world’s most majestic, historic, and remote landscapes guided only by a hard-as-nails Australian survivalist and one nagging question: Just what was Machu Picchu?
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The Last Days of the Incas
By: Kim MacQuarrie
The epic story of the fall of the Inca Empire to Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in the aftermath of a bloody civil war, and the recent discovery of the lost guerrilla capital of the Incas, Vilcabamba, by three American explorers.In 1532, the fifty-four-year-old Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro led a force of 167 men, including his four brothers, to the shores of Peru. Unbeknownst to the Spaniards, the Inca rulers of Peru had just fought a bloody civil war in which the emperor Atahualpa had defeated his brother Huascar. Pizarro and his men soon clashed with Atahualpa and a huge force of Inca warriors at the Battle of Cajamarca. Despite being outnumbered by more than two hundred to one, the Spaniards prevailed—due largely to their horses, their steel armor and swords, and their tactic of surprise. They captured and imprisoned Atahualpa. Although the Inca emperor paid an enormous ransom in gold, the Spaniards executed him anyway. The following year, the Spaniards seized the Inca capital of Cuzco, completing their conquest of the largest native empire the New World has ever known. Peru was now a Spanish colony, and the conquistadors were wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. But the Incas did not submit willingly. A young Inca emperor, the brother of Atahualpa, soon led a massive rebellion against the Spaniards, inflicting heavy casualties and nearly wiping out the conquerors. Eventually, however, Pizarro and his men forced the emperor to abandon the Andes and flee to the Amazon. There, he established a hidden capital, called Vilcabamba—only recently rediscovered by a trio of colorful American explorers. Although the Incas fought a deadly, thirty-six-year-long guerrilla war, the Spanish ultimately captured the last Inca emperor and vanquished the native resistance.
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Lost City of the Incas (Phoenix Press)
By: Hiram Bingham
A special illustrated edition of Hiram Bingham's classic work captures all the magnificence and mystery of the amazing archeological sites he uncovered. Early in the 20th century, Bingham ventured into the wild and then unknown country of the Eastern Peruvian Andes--and in 1911 came upon the fabulous Inca city that made him famous: Machu Picchu. In the space of one short season he went on to discover two more lost cities, including Vitcos, where the last Incan Emperor was assassinated.
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Life and Death in the Andes: On the Trail of Bandits, Heroes, and Revolutionaries
By: MacQuarrie, Kim
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Smithsonian Journeys Cultural Guide: Peru
By: Smithsonian Journeys
For the savvy, cosmopolitan traveler who wants to delve into Peru's history and cultureSmithsonian Journeys Cultural Guide: Peru is a travel guide like none other: it gives a vital overview of the history, geography, foodways, and culture of this remarkable destination. This e-book original from Smithsonian Journeys, the Smithsonian Institution's worldwide educational travel program, provides all the cultural and historical information travelers need to inform their visit to Peru.Readers discover the rich tradition of Peruvian trade so they can see it at play in the contemporary markets they will visit, such as the Mercado Indio in Lima. They learn all about the diverse plants and wildlife of the region so they can spot a Quetzal bird, pinpoint a blade of Ichu grass, and even distinguish between an alpaca and a llama. They study the Incas' monumental achievements in architecture, astronomy, art, and engineering so they will be even more awestruck at the base of the mighty Machu Picchu.Peru lives up to its name--in the ancient Quecha language of the Incas, it means "land of plenty"--and Smithsonian Journeys Cultural Guide: Peru lives up to the reputation of the Smithsonian by providing travelers with the knowledge they need to make the most of the journey of a lifetime.
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Additional Recommended Reading for Easter Island

Among Stone Giants: The Life of Katherine Routledge and Her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island
By: Van Tilburg Ph.D., Jo Anne
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The Statues that Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island
By: Hunt, Terry, Lipo, Carl
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Easter Island's Silent Sentinels: The Sculpture and Architecture of Rapa Nui
By: Kenneth Treister, Patricia Vargas Casanova, Claudio Cristino
It may be the most interesting and yet loneliest spot on earth: a volcanic rock surrounded by a million square miles of ocean, named for the day Dutch explorers discovered it, Easter Sunday, April 5, 1722. Here people created a complex society, sophisticated astronomy, exquisite wood sculpture, monumental stone architecture, roads, and a puzzling ideographic script. And then they went about sculpting amazing, giant human figures in stone.This richly illustrated book of the history, culture, and art of Easter Island is the first to examine in detail the island’s vernacular architecture, often overshadowed by its giant stone statues. It shows the conjecturally reconstructed prehistoric pole houses; the ahu, the sculptures’ platform, as a spectacular expression of prehistoric megalithic architecture; and the Easter Island Statue Project’s inventory of the colossal moai sculptures.This publication is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Furthermore: a program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund.
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Additional Recommended Reading for Fiji

Ancient History of Fiji Islands
By: Collection
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Return to Paradise
By: Michener, James A.
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Kalyana
By: Khelawan, Rajni Mala
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Fijis Natural Heritage
By: Ryan, Paddy
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Additional Recommended Reading for Australia

The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific
By: Paul Theroux
In one of his most exotic and breathtaking journeys, the intrepid traveler Paul Theroux ventures to the South Pacific, exploring fifty-one islands by collapsible kayak. Beginning in New Zealand's rain forests and ultimately coming to shore thousands of miles away in Hawaii, Theroux paddles alone over isolated atolls, through dirty harbors and shark-filled waters, and along treacherous coastlines. This exhilarating tropical epic is full of disarming observations and high adventure.
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The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding
By: Robert Hughes
In this bestselling account of the colonization of Australia, Robert Hughes explores how the convict transportation system created the country we know today. Digging deep into the dark history of England's infamous efforts to move 160,000 men and women thousands of miles to the other side of the world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Hughes has crafted a groundbreaking, definitive account of the settling of Australia. Tracing the European presence in Australia from early explorations through the rise and fall of the penal colonies, and featuring 16 pages of illustrations and 3 maps, The Fatal Shore brings to life the incredible true history of a country we thought we knew.
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Aboriginal Australians
By: Broome, Richard
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The Reef: A Passionate History: The Great Barrier Reef from Captain Cook to Climate Change
By: McCalman, Iain
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In a Sunburned Country
By: Bryson, Bill
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Additional Recommended Reading for Cambodia

Presenting Cambodia
By: Mick Shippen
Given the splendours of Angkor Thom together with another 90 temple sites within the Angkor Archaeological Park, it is no wonder that Cambodia is dubbed the 'Kingdom of Wonder'. In its listing, UNESCO described Angkor as 'an exceptional testimony to a lost civilization'.  But Cambodia is also a revitalized modern country with new infrastructure and many living traditions, as well as stunning countryside and quiet beaches. Mick Shippen's informative and entertaining text illustrated by his distinctive and highly personal photography present a wide-ranging introduction to the many facets of Cambodia for resident and visitor alike. The main text is accompanied by sidebars or box stories that highlight details of particular interest, provide anecdotal information and give a lively and reader-friendly look to the book. The book is divided into two parts, the first part giving an overview of the landscapes, people, history, modern economy and culture of Cambodia, and the second looking in detail at the five main regions: Phnom Penh and Around; the North-west; Siem Reap and Angkor; the South Coast and the East.
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Angkor and the Khmer Civilization (Ancient Peoples and Places)
By: Michael D. Coe
The ancient city of Angkor has fascinated Westerners since its rediscovery in the mid-nineteenth century. A great deal is now known about the brilliant Khmer civilization that flourished among the monsoon forests and rice paddies of mainland Southeast Asia, thanks to the pioneering work of French scholars and the application of modern archaeological techniques such as remote sensing from the space shuttle. The classic-period Khmer kings ruled over their part-Hindu and part-Buddhist empire from AD 802 for more than five centuries. This period saw the construction of many architectural masterpieces, including the huge capital city of Angkor, with the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure. Numerous other provincial centers, bound together by an impressive imperial road system, were scattered across the Cambodian Plain, northeast Thailand, southern Laos, and the Delta of southern Vietnam. Khmer civilization by no means disappeared with the gradual abandonment of Angkor that began in the fourteenth century, and the book's final chapter describes the conversion of the Khmer to a different kind of Buddhism, the move of the capital downriver to the Phnom Penh area, and the reorientation of the Khmer state to maritime trade.Angkor and the Khmer Civilization presents a concise but complete picture of Khmer cultural history from the Stone Age until the establishment of the French Protectorate in 1863, and is lavishly illustrated with maps, plans, drawings, and photographs. Drawing on the latest archaeological research, Michael D. Coe brings to life Angkor's extraordinary society and culture. 130 illustrations, 22 in color
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Art & Architecture of Cambodia (World of Art)
By: Helen Ibbitson Jessup
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Cambodia - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (18)
By: Saunders PhD, Graham, Culture Smart!
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Additional Recommended Reading for India

India, 4th Edition
By: Wolpert, Stanley
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Taj Mahal (Wonders of the World)
By: Giles Tillotson
An enduring monument of haunting beauty, the Taj Mahal seems a symbol of stability itself. The familiar view of the glowing marble mausoleum from the gateway entrance offers the very picture of permanence. And yet this extraordinary edifice presents a shifting image to observers across time and cultures. The meaning of the Taj Mahal, the perceptions and responses it prompts, ideas about the building and the history that shape them: these form the subject of Giles Tillotson’s book. More than a richly illustrated history―though it is that as well―this book is an eloquent meditation on the place of the Taj Mahal in the cultural imagination of India and the wider world.Since its completion in 1648, the mausoleum commissioned by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, has come to symbolize many things: the undying love of a man for his wife, the perfection of Mughal architecture, the ideal synthesis of various strands of subcontinental aesthetics, even an icon of modern India itself. Exploring different perspectives brought to the magnificent structure―by a Mughal court poet, an English Romantic traveler, a colonial administrator, an architectural historian, or a contemporary Bollywood filmmaker―this book is an incomparable guide through the varied and changing ideas inspired by the Taj Mahal, from its construction to our day. In Tillotson’s expert hands, the story of a seventeenth-century structure in the city of Agra reveals itself as a story about our own place and time.
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Patterns of India: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles, and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan
By: Chitnis, Christine
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Interpreter of Maladies
By: Lahiri, Jhumpa
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India - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (109)
By: Culture Smart!, Stephen MA, Becky
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Additional Recommended Reading for Tanzania

The Tree Where Man Was Born (Penguin Classics)
By: Peter Matthiessen
A timeless and majestic portrait of Africa by renowned writer Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014), author of the National Book Award-winning The Snow Leopard and the new novel In Paradise A finalist for the National Book Award when it was released in 1972, this vivid portrait of East Africa remains as fresh and revelatory now as on the day it was first published. Peter Matthiessen exquisitely combines nature and travel writing to portray the sights, scenes, and people he observed firsthand in several trips over the course of a dozen years. From the daily lives of wild herdsmen and the drama of predator kills to the field biologists investigating wild creatures and the anthropologists seeking humanity's origins in the rift valley, The Tree Where Man Was Born is a classic of journalistic observation. This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction by groundbreaking British primatologist Jane Goodall.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals
By: Richard D. Estes
Since its original publication in 1993, The Safari Companion has been the best field guide to observing and understanding the behavior of African mammals. An indispensable tool for naturalists traveling to Africa, this new edition has been revised to acknowledge the enthusiasm to those watching these magnificent animals at zoos and wildlife parks, and on film. The Safari Companion enables readers to recognize and interpret visible behavioral activities, such as courtship rituals, territorial marking, aggression, and care of young. Each account of over 80 species includes a behavioral table in which the unique actions of the hoofed mammals, carnivores, and primates are described for easy reference. In addition, useful maps show the major national boundaries, vegetation zones, and game parks relevant to the guide. The book includes an extensive glossary, as well as tips on wildlife photography, a list of organizations working to protect African wildlife, and advice on where and when to see the animals.
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Africa: A Biography of the Continent
By: John Reader
In 1978, paleontologists in East Africa discovered the earliest evidence of our divergence from the apes: three pre-human footprints, striding away from a volcano, were preserved in the petrified surface of a mudpan over three million years ago. Out of Africa, the world's most ancient and stable landmass, Homo sapiens dispersed across the globe.  And yet the continent that gave birth to human history has long been woefully misunderstood and mistreated by the rest of the world.In a book as splendid in its wealth of information as it is breathtaking in scope, British writer and photojournalist John Reader brings to light Africa's geology and evolution, the majestic array of its landforms and environments, the rich diversity of its peoples and their ways of life, the devastating legacies of slavery and colonialism as well as recent political troubles and triumphs. Written in simple, elegant prose and illustrated with Reader's own photographs, Africa: A Biography of the Continent is an unforgettable book that will delight the general reader and expert alike.
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Serengeti Spy: Views from a Hidden Camera on the Plains of East Africa
By: Anup Shah
In these terrific action photos of wildlife on the African savannah in the Serengeti and the Massai Mara, Anup Shah reveals these creatures as never seen before, using remote hidden cameras that have been planted across the plains. This is life on the plains in all its dynamism, cruelty and vitality, the circle of life in action. Readers will find themselves literally face to face with hyenas as they feed on a kill, with elephants communing in a watering hold, playful lion cubs, wildebeests leaping across a ravine, inquisitive monkeys who have discovered the camera and gaze directly into the lens and cheetahs peering back under their tails towards the camera. Many of these animals have actually noticed the camera, mostly by the sound of it clicking away and their interest is clearly piqued; they're certainly not accustomed to encounters with a camera on the ground of their home turf. This is primarily a visual journey through the African plains, but captions written by the author will impart interesting facts about the animals, as well as any activity of interest that may have occurred while the photo was being taken.
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Out of Africa: and Shadows on the Grass
By: Isak Dinesen
With classic simplicity and a painter's feeling for atmosphere and detail, Isak Dinesen tells of the years she spent from 1914 to 1931 managing a coffee plantation in Kenya.
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Additional Recommended Reading for Jordan

Petra: The History of Jordan's Rose City
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The Making of Jordan: Tribes, Colonialism and the Modern State (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)
By: Alon, Yoav
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Married to a Bedouin
By: Marguerite van Geldermalsen
'"Where you staying?" the Bedouin asked. "Why you not stay with me tonight - in my cave?"' Thus begins Marguerite van Geldermalsen's story of how a New Zealand-born nurse came to be married to Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir-seller from the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It was 1978 and she and a friend were travelling through the Middle East when Marguerite met the charismatic Mohammad who convinced her that he was the man for her.A life with Mohammad meant moving into his ancient cave and learning to love the regular tasks of baking shrak bread on an open fire and collecting water from the spring. And as Marguerite feels herself becoming part of the Bedouin community, she is thankful for the twist in fate that has led her to this contented life. Marguerite's light-hearted and guileless observations of the people she comes to love are as heart-warming as they are valuable, charting Bedouin traditions now lost to the modern world.
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Additional Recommended Reading for Egypt

Egypt and the Egyptians
By: Brewer, Douglas J., Teeter, Emily
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The Nile: Travelling Downriver Through Egypt's Past and Present (Vintage Departures)
By: Wilkinson, Toby
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Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt
By: Pinch, Geraldine
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When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt (NATIONAL GEOGRA)
By: Cooney, Kara
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Death on the Nile: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries, 17)
By: Christie, Agatha
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Additional Recommended Reading for Morocco

A Year in Marrakesh
By: Mayne, Peter
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Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert (Vintage Departures)
By: William Langewiesche
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Morocco - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (84)
By: York, Jillian, Culture Smart!
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Arts and Crafts of Morocco (Arts & Crafts)
By: Jereb, James F.
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A History of Modern Morocco
By: Miller, Susan Gilson
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Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys provides and on-tour insurance plan.

In addition, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect you investment due to unforeseen events, such as missed flight connections, lost luggage, and canceled plans.

This Travel Insurance Plan includes:

  • A waiver for pre-existing medical conditions if you purchase this travel insurance within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit
  • Potential upgrade for Cancel For Any Reason ("CFAR")
  • Coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, sporting goods, baggage loss, emergency dental and more
  • Primary medical coverage in the event you must visit a hospital or medical facility
  • Elite medical evacuation to your hospital of choice
  • Access to a global network of trained medical staff, including paramedics and nurses available 24/7

To learn more about Travel Insurance, please contact a Smithsonian Journeys Private Jet Specialist at 866-903-7650.

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