G Adventures’ National Geographic Journeys Launched
With the official launch of National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures on Dec. 15, travel agents can now sign up clients on a new lineup of 70 trips connecting travellers to local cultures and destinations supported and researched by National Geographic’s explorers and storytellers.
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.
Jeff Russill, VP of Product, G Adventures, says the new range of accessibly priced, experiential tours are designed to offer hands-on exploration and education.
“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,” he adds.
Trips are seven to 21 days in length and offer free time and optional activities, with the structure and safety of travelling with a group.
“We’re excited to be working with G Adventures on this fantastic lineup of trips around the world,” says 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.”
All National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures 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. The first departures begin on Jan. 5, 2016.
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 p.p.
- 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 p.p.
- 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 p.p.
- 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 p.p.
