Discovery Tours by Gate 1

Highlights

• A full-time schedule of daily people-to-people activities and cultural exchanges, including discussions with locals, visits with artists, musical performances, and more Explore Trinidad, one of the best preserved cities in the Caribbean, with a local historian Hear traditional Cuban music at the Museo de Artes Decorativos, and meet the amazing musicians Learn about Old Havana’s restoration projects firsthand from local city planners and architects Witness Havana’s urban garden farming movement Gain insight into US-Cuba relations during a frank policy talk with an expert Interact with jazz musicians

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.
• Exploration of the Yucatan begins at Ek Balam, one of the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico
• In magical Valladolid, stroll the picturesque square with its rows of colorful historic buildings
• Tour the wondrous ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• View the distinctive architecture of Merida at the ornate 15th century Casa Montejo

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss and get to know the locals Enjoy personal game drive experiences in safari vehicles that seat no more than seven Visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a World Heritage Site, Africa’s "Garden of Eden" At the Olduvai Gorge Museum view fossils that provide evidence of our ancestors Game drives in Serengeti National Park, with Africa's highest concentration of wildlife In the Serengeti, linger at the Simba Kopje, inspiration for scenes in The Lion King Travel to Tarangire National Park, known for its huge herds of elephants and giraffes Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cultural center of the Zanzibar Archipelago Tour a working spice plantation to learn about the crops of the Spice Islands Enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional wooden dhow

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals. Tour dazzling Tokyo, a city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology Culinary demonstration led by a professional chef -- learn the art of creating sushi and sashimi Visit the serene Meiji Shrine honoring the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress A day of breathtaking natural scenery as you drive to the National Park of Hakone and Mt. Fuji Board the famous Shinkansen, or "bullet train" that takes you to Kanazawa on the Noto Peninsula Travel to the UNESCO site of Shirakawa-go, known for its village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses In Kagaonsen, stay at a traditional Ryokan (inn) A walking tour of Takayama’s historic district reveals its traditions dating back to the 9th century Discover enchanting Kyoto, founded in the 7th century, one of the early capitals of Japan Visit Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, residence of Shoguns, and the magnificent gilded Golden Pavilion Experience the cultural heritage of Kyoto at a traditional Tea Ceremony at the Gesshin-in Temple Dinner and traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance reflects the core of Japanese culture Travel to the Imperial capital of Nara, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals. Tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the sophisticated "Paris of South America" Enjoy Tango lessons with professional Argentine Tango Dancers Travel to the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Visit Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere Tour Puerto Natales, center of Chilean Patagonia, on the shores of the Senoret Channel Join on board naturalists for daily sightings of wildlife from the ship's observation deck Traverse the Strait of Magellan named for the Portuguese seafarer who discovered this passage Enter the narrow Garibaldi Fjord - view the awesome splendor of the stark Garibaldi Glacier Stop in Puerto Williams on the tiny island of Navarino, capital of the Chilean Antarctic Go ashore on Cape Horn (conditions permitting) southernmost point of Chile and South America An exciting journey takes you along the Drake Passage where the Atlantic and Pacific converge Go ashore in Zodiacs to encounter colonies of Magellanic Penguins, birds, dolphins and sea lions Explore crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, a jewel of diversity in the polar landscape On Deception Island, discover Whalers Bay known for its warm springs and black volcanic sand You’ll be welcomed by colonies of waddling Gentoo penguins on your visit to Neko Harbor A stunning cruise to Lemaire Channel where sheer cliffs rise above iceberg filled passage Tour Santiago, the energetic capital city of Chile

Highlights

• Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed International flights Los Angeles-Shanghai, Beijing-Los Angeles Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges All intra-flights: Shanghai-Xian, Xian-Lhasa & Lhasa-Beijing 12 nights First Class accommodations

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals Walk through the lively Negombo Fish Market where fishing boats arrive with their catch of the day Travel to Minneriya National Park, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to view wild elephants Glimpse into the daily life of the Hiriwadunna people who welcome you with a home hosted lunch Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa, where Kings ruled Sri Lanka over 800 years ago Tour the iconic Sigriya Rock Fortress dating back over 1500 years, rising from the central plains At the inspirational rock sanctuary of Dambulla, view golden temples, statues and wall paintings Tour the gold-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred sites In Kandy, dinner at the home of a local family with specially prepared Sri Lankan specialties Travel to the town of Nuwara Eliya in the center of Sri Lanka’s magnificent tea country Learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of “Ceylon” tea at a Tea Estate factory A Jeep Safari at Yala National Park highlights Sri Lanka’s astonishing wildlife and stunning landscapes Leisure day at fabled Koggala Beach, with its calm blue mangrove-fringed lagoons – a paradise! Tour the colonial town of Galle, with its historic fort built in the 1500s by the Portuguese Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Madu River, passing dozens of islets forested with mangroves

Highlights

• Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Hand-feed Rothschild Giraffes - an endangered species Stay in tented camps comfortably furnished with modern amenities Safari game drives at all national parks Lecture and discussion with a Samburu Naturalist