TORONTO — Some 70 new ‘National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures’ are on sale starting today for departures Jan. 5, 2016.
G Adventures’ VP of Product, Jeff Russill, says the new range of accessibly priced, experiential tours are designed to offer hands-on exploration and education.
“This travel partnership is a match made in heaven,” said Russill. “National Geographic and G Adventures have similar values, an aligned sense of social responsibility, and a shared belief in the positive impact travel can have on the planet.”
The trips are seven to 21 days in length and appeal to travellers who appreciate free time and optional activities, but also enjoy the structure and safety of travelling with a group, says Russill. All tours will be led by a G Adventures guide, known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), and groups will have up to 16 travellers with an average of 10-12.
Each trip features travel experiences that are unique to this program, including encounters with National Geographic-supported researchers or projects. Examples include a game drive in South Africa with a scientist from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Program, a dual-narrative walking tour in Israel led by both Israeli and Palestinian guides who were trained by a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and spending time at the Kyan Sithar Umin monastery in Burma to discuss Buddhism and daily life with a resident monk.
New itineraries include:
- Israel and Beyond – Travellers will participate in a dual-narrative walking tour of Bethlehem and Old Jerusalem, led by two guides, one Israeli and one Palestinian, and both trained by National Geographic Emerging Explorer, Aziz Abu Sarah. They will also discuss present-day Israel with an Israeli scholar, and visit a Palestinian home for a cooking class and family meal. An eight-day trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is priced from $2,499 per person.
- Explore Kruger National Park – On this trip into South Africa’s iconic national park, travellers go on a game drive with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Program, who will share insights into the behaviour of cheetahs and other carnivores and the effort to protect them. This project, led by National Geographic grantee Kelly Marnewick, is part of the Society’s Big Cats Initiative. A seven-day trip from Johannesburg return is priced from $2,099 per person.
- The Heart of Myanmar – Highlights include spending time at the Kyan Sithar Umin monastery to discuss Buddhism and daily life with a resident monk, stepping into the home of a local chef to learn the basics of Burmese cooking, and visiting a local home to enjoy a political satire performance by the infamous Moustache Brothers who were banned from public performances due to their political views. A 12-day trip from Yangon return is priced from $3,299 per person.
- Explore Costa Rica – Travellers have special access to the Monteverde Institute, a research centre supported by National Geographic, and can participate in the centre’s reforestation efforts. They will visit the San Miguel de Sarapiquí community on a tour of Mi Cafecito, a G Adventures-supported coffee co-op that has helped bring economic benefits through tourism, and meet with researchers on a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, co-founded by National Geographic grantee Archie Carr. A 14-day trip from San Jose return is priced from $2,249 per person.
“We’re excited to be working with G Adventures on this fantastic lineup of trips around the world,” said Lynn Cutter, Executive Vice President, National Geographic Travel. “They are different from anything else currently being offered: a combination of compelling itineraries, free time and options, and incredible value – along with the security and expertise of traveling with National Geographic.”
For more information see visit gadventures.com/journeys.
