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Extraordinary Cultures by Private Jet
March 11-April 5, 2009
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An Epic Journey Around the World Exploring Ancient Ceremonies
and Arts of the World's Most Fascinating Peoples
Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru - Easter Island, Chile
Kingdom of Tonga - Rotorua, New Zealand
The Daintree Rainforest or The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Highlands OR The Sepik River Basin, Papua New Guinea
Koto Kinabalu, Borneo - Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
The Taj Mahal, India - The Lost City of Petra, Jordan
Mopti & Dogon Country OR Djenne OR Timbuktu, Mali - Marrakech, Morocco
Join us for an Epic Journey Around the World by Private Jet and take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to circle the globe and delve into more than a dozen of the world's most fascinating cultures. Starquest Expeditions has partnered with Smithsonian Journeys to create this one-and-only departure featuring a unique combination of culturally rich experiences and exclusive meetings with renowned experts and local dignitaries. Throughout the journey, enjoy the ultimate in luxury, safety, and service. You will be whisked from one destination to the next aboard a private, VIP-configured Boeing 757 jet and stay in some of the world's most exclusive and finest hotels. A dedicated professional expedition staff -- including a chef and a physician -- will accompany you. And you will be able to customize the itinerary with your choice of sightseeing options throughout the expedition.
A Private, Privileged, and Personalized Entrée to Extraordinary Cultures
Enjoy special events and exclusive meetings with renowned experts and local dignitaries who will open doors to peoples and places rarely encountered. Smithsonian's Acting Under Secretary for History and Culture, Richard Kurin, will invite his friends and colleagues—world-renowned artists, scientists, diplomats, and scholars—to join us for dinners, take us behind the scenes at special sites, perform authentic songs and dances, and offer their insights into many fascinating traditional cultures:
Enjoy a fine meal with the cousin of the King of Tonga and Master of the Royal Household, Tuivanuavou Tupou, and learn about his work through UNESCO to safeguard the lakalaka, an impressive synchronized dance and song performed by whole communities and considered to be Tonga's national dance. Listen to the captivating storytelling of Te Taru White, member of the Te Arawa tribe and C.E.O. of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua.
Explore the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and learn about its natural history and conservation challenges with Malcolm Turner, Manager of Field Operations for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Delight in a magical evening of sumptuous Indian cuisine accompanied by a spectacular production of traditional dancing, extravagant costume and decor, and master Mehndi artists who will demonstrate their flair with henna body art.
Enjoy an entrancing performanceof Cambodian dance and music with the Apsara Tevi Group andethnomusicologist Sam-Ang Sam at the historic Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor.
Highlights:
- Arts of Lima & Cusco, Peru
- Mysteries of the Moai & Ceremonial Dance on Easter Island
- The Art of Tapa & Other Traditions in the Kingdom of Tonga
- Angkor Wat & Other Khmer Treasures, Cambodia
- Buddhist Cosmology, Myth & History in the Kingdom of Bhutan
- Grand Beauty of the Taj Mahal & Mehndi Henna Art
- The Lost City of Petra, Jordan
- The Maori People & Geothermal Wonders of Rotorua, New Zealand
- The Daintree Rainforest or The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Elaborate Ceremonies of Indigenous Papua New Guineans
- Captivating Sights, Songs & Dances of Borneo's Tribes
- Timbuktu & TheTribes of Mali
- Tombs, Palaces & Souks of Marrakech
Learn While You Explore
Enrichment is the key to rewarding exploration. World-renowned experts from the Smithsonian travel with us. They will make use of our flying time, with informative lectures and lively discussions about the places and people we visit. In addition, books and publications about each destination are available in the jet library. We will also be joined by various local experts and dignitaries along the way.
Travel with a Distinguished Smithsonian Team
Richard Kurin
Richard Kurin is the Smithsonian's Acting Under Secretary for History and Culture, and a cultural anthropologist specializing in the study of knowledge systems, folk arts, museums, and development. He is most noted for curatorial work over three decades for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which has included collaborations with more than 90 nations and countless individuals, including Yo-Yo Ma for The Silk Road and the Dalai Lama on Tibetan Culture. He produced the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Reunion for the World War II Memorial, the Smithsonian's 150th anniversary celebration, the Festival of India, and programs for presidential inaugurals and the Olympics. He has overseen projects that have won numerous Grammy, Academy, Emmy, and Webby awards and nominations. He serves as a member of the U.S. National Commission on UNESCO. Richard will be traveling with us for the entire expedition.
Adrienne Kaeppler
Adrienne L. Kaeppler is a social/cultural anthropologist and Curator of Oceanic Ethnology at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. She is well known for her publications and lectures on dance, music, and the visual arts of the Pacific and Asia, and has carried out field research in Cambodia, Easter Island, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, New Guinea, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Tonga. She wrote Poetry in Motion: Studies in Tongan Dance and Hula Pahu; co-edited the Australia and Pacific Islands volume of the Garland Encyclopedia of World Music; and co-wrote with the Tongans The Songs and Poems of Queen Salote. Her book on Polynesian and Micronesian Art will be published in 2008 by Oxford University Press. Adrienne will be traveling with us from Washington D.C. to Tonga.
Mary Jo Arnoldi
Mary Jo Arnoldi is the Curator for African Ethnology and Arts in the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. She has conducted research in Mali since 1978 and has published widely on African arts and performance, cultural heritage, social life, and history. She was the Lead Curator for the museum's permanent exhibition, "African Voices" which opened in 2000. She also co- curated the Mali program, "From Timbuktu to Washington" at the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Mary Jo will be traveling with us from Jordan to Morocco.
Enjoy the Ultimate in Convenience, Security & Service
Traveling by Private Jet
Our specially-outfitted Boeing 757 is ideally suited for this around-the-world expedition. Its long-range capabilities and ability to land in smaller airports afford us unmatched flexibility. We set our own schedules, flying direct and avoiding layovers, allowing us the freedom to make the most of our adventures on land. The interior has been customized and refitted to our specifications to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience, accommodating just 88 travelers in 2x2 VIP-style seats, instead of the standard 228. To get to some of the more remote, harder-to-reach destinations on this expedition, we will also fly on local aircraft.
Expedition Staff & Air Crew
Our talented expedition staff is a team of experienced travel experts who look forward to accompanying you throughout the journey. These highly skilled and forward-thinking professionals attend to the expedition's every logistical detail, ensuring that your experience is worry-free and thoroughly positive. Also, a dedicated flight crew is specially selected for this expedition, chosen for their top-notch hospitality and keen attention to detail, safety, and security.
Expedition Physician
For your comfort and well-being, an expedition physician accompanies us throughout the journey. Well-traveled and especially knowledgeable in travel medicine, the physician will be ready to provide healthcare services whenever and wherever they may be needed.
Expedition Chef
We travel with our own expedition chef who creates delicious meals inspired by the various places we visit. Taking advantage of the best and freshest local ingredients, our chef prepares dishes in local hotels or airport kitchens just before takeoff, and serves them onboard the jet in style with a fine selection of wines.
The Finest Accommodations & Cuisine
From the historic Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to the splendid Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, India, we stay in some of the world's most interesting and luxurious accommodations. Each one is carefully selected for its amenities and prime location. In remote areas where choices are limited, we stay at the very best available accommodations to ensure your comfort. We have also arranged festive banquets accompanied by traditional entertainment at many of these properties. Suite upgrades are available in some locations.
Follow Your Passion with a Flexible Itinerary
The possibilities are endless, the experience—matchless. Enjoy the advantages of traveling on your own, while reaping the benefits of traveling with a group. Fly together with like-minded travelers in the comfort of a VIP-configured jet. Then, after we land and break up into smaller groups, enjoy an intimate and in-depth exploration of the best that each destination has to offer. But this is only the beginning. Travelers on this expedition may go beyond the main itinerary, enjoying many excursions of their choice along the way. Whether you want to tour local art galleries, visit a school, or hike off the beaten path, we will ensure that your travels are tailored for you.
Our innovative itinerary is only the beginning. Recognizing that our guests have a wide range of interests, we customize the excursions at each destination to fit your preferences. Whether you want to meet local artists, hike off the beaten path, see a different part of town, or explore a special museum on your own, we will ensure that your experience is tailored for you.
If you have previously visited any of these destinations, an alternate program may be available.
Price of the Expedition Includes:
- Deluxe or best available accommodations and all applicable taxes in the destinations and options.
- All meals, beginning with dinner on March 11, 2009 and ending with breakfast on April 5, 2009 are included.
- All taxes; transportation; excursions; services of professional expedition staff, physician, and lecturers; amenities;
- $50,000 medical evacuation insurance for covered reasons;
- Bottled water at meals and all excursions; and
- Gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters, and waitstaff are included. Any tips or gratuities not specifically mentioned as included in the total charter tour price will be at your discretion.
Price of the Expedition Does Not Include:
- From your home city to Washington, D.C., USA and from Washington, D.C., USA to your home city;
- Individual airport transfers at beginning and end of trip;
- Optional accident/baggage/cancellation insurance;
- Passport and visa fees;
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax, and Internet charges;
- Liquor except aboard the private jet and during special events; and
- Medication costs of any kind.
Contact us at 800.710.1008 or 415.864.4581
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| Call (800) 710-1008 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7316249 | | Starquest Expeditions | | Offer valid through 3/11/2009 | | | | Difficulty Level - Moderate |
| | Day | Destination | Description | | 1 | Washington, D.C. | Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Washington, D.C.
Depart your hometown independently on a commercial flight to Washington, D.C. Meet fellow travelers, your Smithsonian lecturers Richard Kurin, Adrienne Kaeppler, Mary Jo Arnoldi, and the expedition staff at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian for an exclusive presentation by the curator. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at our fine hotel. Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
| | 2-4 | Lima | Thursday, Friday & Saturday, March 12, 13 & 14
Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru
Fly to Lima and enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum, and an exclusive tour of the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian arts. The following day, a local flight takes us to Cusco, where we can see the historic quarter’s stately mansions, extensive arcades, and beautiful cathedral surrounding the grand Plaza de Armas. While here, meet with renowned textile artist and director of the Center for Traditional Textiles, Nilda Callanaupa. She will share her insights into the significance of woven goods in Peruvian culture. If you wish, head up to Sacsayhuaman for a glorious panoramic view of the red-tiled roofs of Cusco and beyond.The next day, travel by train through the spectacularly scenic Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. Here in this remote land of the mysterious Incan Empire, explore terraced gardens and staircases, and examine the artfully cut stone Sun Temple and Incan sundial, or Intihuatana, ‘hitching post of the sun.’ Wonder at the perfection of the Incan skill of cutting and fitting enormous stones so tightly that not even a knife’s blade will fit between them. Swissôtel, Lima; Hotel Monasterio, Cusco Alternate: Instead of exploring Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu, you may choose a two-night excursion to explore the Moche and Chimu ruins in Chiclayo and Trujillo in Northern Peru.
| | 5-6 | Easter Island | Sunday & Monday, March 15 & 16
Easter Island
Depart Lima, flying more than 2,300 miles westward across the Pacific Ocean, and land in Easter Island’s only town, Hanga Roa. Explore many parts of the island -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- where moai, ceremonial centers, petroglyphs, volcanic craters, and lava formations abound. Resident archeologist Edmundo Edwards will reveal the hidden mysteries of these fascinating places. In Hanga Roa, marvel at the award-winning and befeathered Kari Kari Rapanui Ethnic Ballet dancers, who will perform a range of lively and sensual authentic dances and songs. Hotel Hanga Roa, Iorana Hotel, or Taha Tai Hotel Options: Go horseback riding, or hike the grassy hills to explore additional archaeological sites with our guides.
| | 7 | International Date Line | Tuesday, March 17
Cross the International Date Line
From Easter Island we continue our voyage across the Pacific, crossing the International Date Line. We lose a day and arrive in Tonga the following afternoon.
| | 8 | Tonga | Wednesday, March 18
Kingdom of Tonga
Arrive in Tonga and transfer to our fine hotel, prominently located along the spectacular Nuku'alofa waterfront. Anthropologist Adrienne Kaeppler will share her insights and expertise about Tonga’s royal family, traditional dance, and tapa. Witness the creation of this extraordinary textile made from beaten tree bark to form soft and delicate skirts, loincloths, headdresses and more. In the evening, enjoy an umu feast and an inspiring performance of Lakalaka, Tongan dance and song, declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. International Dateline Hotel, Tongatapu Island
| | 9-10 | Rotorua | Thursday & Friday, March 19 & 20
Rotorua, New Zealand
Immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua, home to one third of New Zealand’s Maori population. Visit a distinctive spirit house, and meet with Maori artists at local galleries. Observe an ancient welcome ceremony, the Powhiri, and feel the captivating rhythm of Maori music, a mixture of speech and song with body percussions. In the evening, sample local delicacies at a hangi feast, accompanied by a performance by Te Taru White, a gifted Maori storyteller. Millennium Hotel, Rotorua Option: Rotorua’s mineral waters continue to be used by the locals to relieve pain, stimulate joints, and relax muscles. If you wish, you may soak in the Polynesian Pools, one of Condé Nast Traveler’s top ten medical and thermal spas in the world. Or see the Waimangu Thermal Valley -- the world’s newest, resulting from the Tarawera Eruption in 1886, and home to several rare geothermally-adapted plants.
| | 11-12 | Australia | Saturday & Sunday, March 21 & 22
The Daintree Rainforest or The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
We land in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, a charming resort town on the shores of the South Pacific Ocean. Here, travelers will have the choice of exploring either the Daintree Rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef. Discover the flora and fauna of the world’s oldest rainforest -- approximately 90 million years older than the Amazon Rainforest. Learn about the natural wonders you see while cruising the Daintree River and during a special Dreamtime walk with an elder from the Kuku Yalanji tribe. He will share his tribe’s legends and special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Then visit the Botanical Ark -- a sanctuary of rare plants, some of which are already extinct in their native habitats. Savor a fine lunch made from produce from the Ark’s garden. Travelers curious about the Great Barrier Reef will have the opportunity to venture into the pristine northern reaches of this incredible natural wonder with a prominent marine biologist. Immerse yourself in the underwater splendor of this area by snorkeling or riding a semi-submersible vessel with an observatory. Look for schools of triggerfish, unicornfish, surgeonfish, potato cod, and sea turtles swirling around the rainbow-colored corals. Following the day’s adventures, all travelers will have an opportunity to admire and purchase Aboriginal artwork, and share your Dreamtime or undersea experiences with fellow travelers at a special dinner. Sea Temple Resort & Spa, Port Douglas
| | 13-14 | Papua New Guinea | Monday & Tuesday, March 23 & 24
The Highlands or The Sepik River Basin, Papua New Guinea
Our private jet takes us to Port Moresby. From here we use small local aircraft to venture into your choice of three seldom-visited areas: In the western highlands of Kum Mountain and the Waghi Valley, witness the pastoralist lifestyle of some of the world’s oldest agricultural communities. Spend two days with the Melpa and Nebilyer peoples, and learn about the unique moka ceremony, a gifting ritual that originates here. Delight in the numerous species of orchids that thrive in this area. Or visit the southern highlands where the Huli tribe have lived for ages. Observe how the Huli wigmen sport elaborate headdresses made of human hair, and sit with the wigmen’s wives to learn about a woman’s life here. If you wish, you may also explore the prime birdwatching territory near the lodge, where many varieties of Birds of Paradise thrive. Those who venture into the Sepik River Basin will travel by riverboat through tropical lowland forests to see intricately designed spirit houses and elaborately decorated dugout canoes. Meet various riverine tribes, skilled artisans who make beautifully carved story boards, masks, and other unique creations. Rondon Ridge Lodge, Western Highlands; Ambua Lodge, Southern Highlands; or Karawari Lodge, Sepik River Basin
| | 15 | Kota Kinabalu | Wednesday, March 25 (afternoon only)
Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
We depart Papua New Guinea and make a brief stop in Borneo for a very special event. Here we spend the day enjoying a lavish spread of Malaysian cuisine at a spectacular open-air affair where we will meet members of various local tribes including the Rungus, Suluk, and Bajau. Join in the merriment of these Borneans who will wear traditional costumes and perform their unique dances and songs. Listen for the antique brass bells of the Rungus women that sound with the slightest movement; admire a Suluk man’s ceremonial betel nut box; and marvel at the fine needlework in the dress of the peaceful Bajau people. After this festive cultural event, we will reboard our private jet and fly to Cambodia.
| | 15-17 | Angkor | Wednesday (continued), Thursday & Friday, March 25, 26 & 27
Angkor, Cambodia
This evening we arrive in Siem Reap, our base for excursions into the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire. Visit the stunning Angkor Wat temple complex, survey its massive towers, carved murals, colonnades, and courtyards that exemplify classic Khmer art and architecture. You may also explore Angkor Thom, known for the Bayon Temples and Terrace of the Elephants; and Ta Prohm, which has been largely left as it was found, still engulfed by thick banyan trees. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous spread of Cambodian cuisine and a performance by the Apsara Tevi Group. These beautiful and exotic costumed dancers echo the shapes of the celestial beings seen in the sculptures of Angkor Wat. To further our understanding of the dance, a Khmer-born ethnomusicologist, Sam-Ang Sam, Ph.D., will join us for dinner. Professor Sam is a MacArthur Fellow and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Humanities at Paññasastra University of Cambodia. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Option: Instead of exploring Angkor Wat, you may visit Banteay Srei, an unusual pink sandstone temple that is considered the “jewel” of Khmer art.
| | 18-19 | Bhutan | Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29
Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
We take a local flight to Bhutan, flying by Mount Everest (weather permitting), and land in Paro, deep in a valley dotted with mountaintop Buddhist monasteries, gaily decorated fortresses, and prayer flags. Visit the Choeding Temple for a rare glimpse into the evening prayer ceremonies of local monks, and meet with the revered Datong Tulku Rinpoche. At the National Museum, admire a superb collection of jewelry, ancient weapons, and classical thangka paintings depicting Buddhist cosmology. Stroll the town of Paro and visit a family at their farmhouse. Most people in Bhutan live in small rural villages and work as farmers. As the altitude rises, rice and corn crops give way to cattle and yak, with herds grazing in the high pastures. Then meet with teachers and students at a local school, for a rare insider’s view into Bhutan’s educational system. In the countryside, enjoy a scenic drive to a festive picnic with folk music, an archery demonstration, and a performance by the Tashi Nencha Group. Zhiwaling Hotel and Uma Paro, Bhutan Option: Hearty travelers may take the challenging hike nearly 3,000 feet up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the country’s most revered sites, named for the flying tigress that carried the Guru Rinpoche to the site in the eighth century.
| | 20 | Taj Mahal | Monday, March 30
The Taj Mahal, India
We board our private jet for the journey to Agra, India, site of the famous Taj Mahal, which soars majestically on the banks of the Yamuna River. Wander this thoroughly enchanting site, “designed by giants, finished by jewelers,” 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 of inlaid precious stones. You can also enjoy your own private view of the Taj Mahal from your room at our marvelous hotel, a lavish oasis only 600 meters away from the site.In Agra, we will be treated to a truly magical Indian evening -- complete with some of the country’s finest traditional dancers with their entrancing rainbow-hued costumes and jewelry. Mehndi henna artists will also join us to demonstrate their delicate art form that beautifies the body. Mughals first brought henna to India in the 12th century A.D. and to this day it is used to create intricate designs on young women’s bodies for social and holiday celebrations. Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
| | 21-22 | Petra | Tuesday & Wednesday, March 31 & April 1
The Lost City of Petra, Jordan
On Tuesday, depart Agra in the afternoon, arriving in Aqaba, Jordan, where we transfer to our fine hotel near Petra. The next day, explore this fabled lost city. Hidden in Jordan’s deep canyons south of the Dead Sea, and founded more than 2,000 years ago, this awe-inspiring place consists of elaborate buildings and tombs carved from sheer rock walls. We will meet with a leading archaeologist who will share fascinating insights into Petra and its builders, the Nabataean people, whose culture has disappeared, but continues to baffle scholars to this day.Currently living in this area are the Bedouin, an Arab people who have been nomadic herdsmen here for centuries. Visit their market overflowing with a variety of handmade crafts produced in association with several international foundations that work toward the revival and preservation of traditional arts, including intricate silver jewelry, Ma’ani needlework, and carpets renowned for their exquisite mosaic-like designs. Later, you can wear baubles purchased in the market to a special dinner recreating a lavish Nabataean feast. Mövenpick Resort, Petra Alternative: For travelers who have previously visited Petra, we offer an alternative overnight excursion to The Dead Sea, Amman, and Jerash. Soak in the rejuvenating, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, and unwind in our secluded boutique hotel on the shore. The next day, explore the bustling souks of Amman, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and then saunter along the ancient Roman streets of the superbly preserved ruins of Jerash. Ishtar Kempinksi Dead Sea Resort
| | 22-23 | Mali | Thursday & Friday, April 2 & 3
Mopti & Dogon Country, Djenne or Timbuktu, Mali
Fly to Mali and land in Mopti, located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani Rivers. Observe daily life along the busy river port, where the Bambara, Fulani, and Bozo fishermen and merchants ply the waters in flat-bottomed pirogues that are laden with local fish, salt, produce, and crafts. Later at the hotel, enjoy a “stilt dance” performed by the Dogon people. Marvel at how -- in a spectacular flash of color and motion -- Dogon men wearing dramatically carved masks, dyed hibiscus fibers, and cowry shell beading, move deftly on stilts up to 15 feet in the air. We will also be treated to a private performance by renowned griots, or bards, who will recount local stories through songs while playing a stringed instrument known as the kora. During our time in Mopti, Smithsonian anthropologist Mary Jo Arnoldi will share her many insights on this diverse region. Relais Kanaga, MoptiThen on Friday morning, choose one of three areas to explore:
Visit the Bandiagara escarpment of Dogon country, where the Dogon people live inside cliff-dwellings -- ingenious networks of thatched-roof living spaces, work areas, and ceremonial centers. Observe the fascinating lifestyle of these people, whose tightly-knit social structure and intensely cooperative behavior enable them to maintain age-old traditions while adapting to life in a modern world. Or head to Djenne, founded by the Bozo people in 250 B.C. and home to outstanding examples of old-world Muslim architecture. Visit the breathtaking Grand Mosque -- the largest mud mosque in the world. Then browse the colorful local markets and stroll the shady streets lined with traditional mud-brick homes. Or go to Timbuktu via local air. Examine ancient maps and manuscripts at Timbuktu’s mud-brick library, one of 120 that spanned the continent. Then ride camels through the desert with the nomadic Tuaregs, witness an energetic dance by a famous Tuareg warrior, and see magnificent mud mosques that recall the city’s golden age. At the end of the day, all travelers return to Mopti, where we reboard our private jet and fly on to Morocco.
| | 23-24 | Marrakech | Friday (continued) & Saturday, April 3 & 4
Marrakech, Morocco
On Friday evening, after arriving in Marrakech, we will transfer to our fine hotel, which offers the chance to unwind in a hammam, a Moroccan steam bath. We begin our exploration of Marrakech the following morning. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the tombs of the Saadian kings, and the palace housing the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts. The palace’s wonderful courtyard garden is filled with flowers and cypress trees, and its salons invite admirers of fine craftsmanship with impressive displays of jewelry, daggers, ornate kaftans, and local carpets. Though you will find historical examples of traditional arts and crafts on display here, keep in mind that many of these objects are still used and worn in mountain areas. Wander through the bustling medina quarter: a jumble of colorful souks, and the enchanted Djemaa el Fna, the busiest market square in all of Africa, with its snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, and a myriad of fascinating diversions. In the evening, celebrate the end of this exclusive journey at a gala farewell dinner where we will be entertained by traditional music, fortune tellers, and belly dancers. Sofitel MarrakechOption: In Morocco, you may choose to spend the day exploring the Atlas Mountains in four-wheel-drive vehicles, visiting Berber villages and taking in the spectacular scenery.
| | 25 | Homeward | Sunday, April 5
Homeward
Following breakfast, our private jet carries us back to Washington, D.C., where you can connect with a regularly scheduled commercial flight home.
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| | | | | Anthropology | Archaeology | | History | |
| All prices are based on two persons sharing a room. All prices and fares
are quoted in U.S. dollars. Subject to availability and may change without notice.
Deposits may be paid via credit card, but final payment must be made by check or cash only. For your protection and peace of mind, all passenger payments are secured in a bank escrow account.
Single/Shared Accommodations: Some single rooms are available at extra cost on a firstcome, first-served basis. We will assist persons requesting a roommate. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available. In this case, the single rate will be charged.
Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff are subject to modification and change by Starquest Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered, we reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Starquest Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate
enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate. In such a case, a full refund of the expedition cost will be made. |
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