Itinerary

Today we will fly to Ilulissat.

Note: The runway at Ilulissat is 2,800’. For aircraft needing a longer runway, you have the option to fly your plane to Kangerlussuaq (485NM) and take a commercial flight (airfare not included) to Ilulissat.

Located about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat is the most accessible place to see both massive icebergs and the polar icecap. The town has a beautiful location at the mouth of the 35 mile long ice fjord that is filled with enormous icebergs from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq. The Ice Fjord surrounds Ilulissat with gigantic formations of icebergs, calving glaciers, and isolated settlements. It offers breathtaking Arctic experiences all year round.

After breakfast and our regular briefing, we will leave for Reykjavik, flying over ice-covered Greenland and then doing our second water crossing.

Fly southeast toward the British Isles for our next stop, Prestwick, to refuel and have lunch.

Our flight continues to Austria to discover one of the most beautiful cities in Europe - Vienna. Home to some of the most beautiful Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture in the world, here you will find the houses of Vienna’s great composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms and Johann Strauss, all carefully preserved.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

There will be an optional visit to the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Habsburg Emperors until 1918. The palace was originally a medieval castle but today only the chapel remains from medieval days. Also at the Palace is the hall where the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School perform. Almost every day, the white Lipizzan stallions are put through their paces by their riders. Experience the Morning Exercises performed to music!

Tonight is free evening to enjoy optional music concert or performance.

Today we will visit Bodrum’s fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed in a former castle and containing many artifacts salvaged from area shipwrecks.

Fly to Aqaba, Jordan. Gracefully situated on the sandy beaches and azure waters of the Red Sea, the Kempinski offers vibrant coral reefs, majestic mountains and incredible historic sites. With unforgettable scenery, abundant seaside activities and beautiful weather, you’ll enjoy breathtaking beauty in a breathtaking setting.

Enjoy this unique city embedded with a fusion of history, nature, and city life surrounded by picturesque mountains and blue sea.

Fly to Djibouti, “Land of the Gods”, situated where the Indian Ocean meets the Red Sea.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Kempinski Palace hotel.

Fly to Nairobi. After clearing customs, we will take a local airline flight to Bateleur Camp. Set among the forests on the edge of the Masai Mara, the elegant tents, each with its own private butler, reflect the style and glamour of vintage Africa.
 
Enjoy a short game drive en route to the Camp - located in one of the most spectacular parts of the Masai Mara - a large game reserve in south western Kenya which is the continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Camp is at the heart of the wildebeest migration that passes through this area between July and September when the Mara River sees some of the most dramatic scenes of wildebeest and zebra crossing the river and facing the waiting crocodiles.
 
Gazelle, wildebeest and zebra graze in large numbers and where prey is found so are predators. The famous black-maned Mara lions, cheetah and leopard hunt these grazing herds of ungulates. Great herds of elephant browse amongst the rich grasslands while hippo and crocodiles keep cool in the Mara and Talek Rivers. Each year, in search for the sweet grass of the Masai Mara. This is known as the Great Migration. It is estimated that more than a half million wildebeest enter the Masai Mara and are joined by another 10,000 from Loita Hills in the east of the Mara. There is nowhere else on earth to compare this wildlife marvel.

We'll depart the camp very early to the Balloon Safari site for a fabulous Hot Air Balloon safari. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Masai Mara National Reserve as we pass over endless plains, sail over the dramatic Mara River, watch wildlife traverse verdant swaps and cruise past flourishing forests.

We will take a local airline flight back to Nairobi to get our planes and fly to Pemba where we will clear customs. We will then transfer by state of the art helicopter to Azura Quilalea Private Island.

Quilalea Private Island is a private, wholly uninhabited island paradise surrounded by the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary. Situated 30 nautical miles north of Pemba, the island lies within a fully protected marine reserve, ensuring an abundance of marine life.

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Use of snorkeling equipment and kayaks is included. Optional activities include guided/specialist activities, fishing, boat hire, snorkeling, island hopping and dhow sailing.

Today we will visit the Mosi O Tunya National Park situated along the upper Zambezi stretching from and including the Falls. Though small in size, the park provides a home for numerous antelope species, zebras, giraffe and the recently acquired white rhinos, one of whom gave birth in the park in 1994. These are the only rhinos to be seen in Zambia because its previously large population has been completely eliminated through poaching.
 
A sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River is a must for the visitor. Just upstream from the magnificent falls, crocodiles and hipps are the staple of these legendary exhilarating cruises.

Experience exciting game drives and walks.

Fly to Cape Town, South Africa. Upon arrival, transfer to the One&Only Cape Town hotel. Nestled in the cosmopolitan Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the One & Only offers breathtaking vistas of Table Mountain and Signal Hill.

Enjoy a scenic full day tour visiting some of the most renowned attractions of Cape Town as we head towards beautiful Clifton Beach and historic Simon's Town, renowned Chapman's Peak Drive, Seal Island and Penguin Colony, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Kirstenbosch Gardens. This scenic journey invites guests to take-in the breathtaking vistas of Cape Point. From Clifton beach, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and the renowned Chapman's Peak to historic Simon's Town, Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope and the Kirstenbosch Gardens - there's a picture-perfect moment for all.

Enjoy scenic drives in open 4X4 safari vehicles, quadbiking through the desert, guided nature walks, stargazing and picnic excursions to experience the true beauty that is the Namib Desert.

Fly to Sao Tome - situated direclty on the equator. It has a breathtaking landscape with once-active volcanoes, rugged terrain, beautiful palm-fringed beaches and dense forests. You'll see picturesque colonial Portuguese architecture with some of the best examples in the world of Portuguese forts, estates and buildings.

Today we will fly to Accra, the beautiful capital city of Ghana. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Villa Monticello, our hotel for the next two nights. Accra is a lively metropolis with restaurants, night clubs, shops, markets and museums. All are within minutes reach from the hotel.

Fly to Dakhla. There will be a technical stop in Bamako.

Today, our tour follows the Eastern coast of the island. We'll stop at Cabanas de Sao Jorge, a unique village overlooking the sea and surrounded by mountains and vineyards that feature some of Madeira's most spectacular scenery.
 
We'll stop for lunch in Ponto Delgada, a picturesque village with breathtaking natural surroundings. Continue to Sao Vicente, idyllically set in a beautiful valley where you will be able to visit the best underground volcanic features ever found on the island, Sao Vicente Caves. The return journey takes you through stunning valleys and ravines carved into the island over millions of years, passing through the beautiful zone of Ribeira Brava.

Fly to Lisbon. Upon arrival, transfer to the Penha Longa Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. Once the retreat for the Portuguese Royal Family, Penha Longa is located within a 545-acre national Park on the southern Sintra Mountains. This breathtakingly beautiful location encompasses a luxurious hotel, a nineteenth century palace originally founded as a monastery in the fourteenth century, two spectacular golf courses and a stunning Six Senses Spa.

Today we will fly to Bordeaux, the wine country of France, and spend the next two nights in a luxurious hotel and spa: Chateau Grande Barrail located near St Emilion one of the most beautiful villages of France. During our stay you will tour wineries, enjoy the medieval St Emilion village and may enjoy biking, horseback riding and educate yourself on French Bordeaux wines.

The afternoon is free to relax.

After breakfast and an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Iceland. There will be a stop in Prestwick for lunch and to refuel.