JEWELS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN: A PRIVATE JET EXPEDITION & 24-DAY ITINERARY FROM AMSTERDAM 2019 23rd April - 16th May, 2019 Discover the ancient treasures of the Indian Ocean on this seamless journey...
LONDON OFFICE +44 (0)20 7022 6560 NEW YORK OFFICE +1 (212) 370-8468 HONG KONG OFFICE +852 3752 2076 DUBAI OFFICE +971 4 437 6802 SINGAPORE OFFICE +65 6511 1190 INDIA OFFICE +91 9560020632 LOS ANGELES OFFICE +13239385500 AUSTRALIA OFFICE +61 (0)3 9252 3827 info@quintessentiallytravel.com OVERVIEW Follow in the footsteps of great explorers, crossing miles and spanning centuries on our custom-configured private jet. DAYS 1-2 Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Begin your journey in Amsterdam, a modern centre for global commerce that was once the heart of Europe's Age of Exploration. Meet your fellow travelers and your expedition staff at the Waldorf Astoria for a festive welcome dinner. Depart Amsterdam in the evening for an overnight flight to Sri Lanka. DAYS 3-5 Cape Weligama Resort Galle was once a vital port, trading in ivory, silk and spices. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of the ancient Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with Dutch colonial buildings, churches and bustling cafés. Explore the Weligama fish market and its wholesale auctions, or shop for Sri Lankan jewelry and handicrafts. Fly by helicopter to the highlands to explore some of the country s many ancient treasures, including the Golden Temple of Dambulla and the ruins at Sigiriya. DAYS 6-7 Amanjiwo
Borobudur was built 1,200 years ago without cement or mortar, and boasts an incredible array of relief stonework. As you ascend to the top of the temple for sweeping views, follow the thousands of narrative panels that tell the story of Buddha s life and teachings. Visit Prambanan, a 9th-century Hindu temple compound featuring sculpted towers rising 150 feet above its surroundings. At a local workshop, learn about the traditional Javanese art form of batik, in which cloth is dyed using hot wax to create elaborate patterns. DAYS 8-9 Vivanta by Taj, Malabar Explore Fort Kochi, established by Portuguese explorers who came in search of spices, and admire the late-renaissance style of St. Francis Church, the first European church in India. Walk along the promenade at Fort Kochi Beach for a view of the iconic Chinese fishing nets, and try your hand at fishing with these large, hammock-like nets. Cruise through Kerala s tranquil backwaters a network of canals, rivers and inlets that meanders through lush rice paddies and swaying coconut trees for a slice of local life. DAYS 10-12 Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita Experience the island s protected lagoons and mangrove forests by kayak, or embark on a guided snorkeling adventure. Opt to hike, ride on horseback or mountain bike across the beautifully preserved Domaine de l'etoile. Visit the Bois Cheri Tea Factory to see how the tea is produced from field to table. Take a scenic drive to La Rhumerie de Chamarel, a distillery where you can learn about the process of turning sugarcane to rum and enjoy a rum tasting. Discover the fusion flavors of Mauritian food during a hands-on cooking class. DAYS 13-14 LUX* Saint Gilles Take a flight-seeing tour over Réunion s interior, soaring over cascading waterfalls, lava flows and lush forested gorges. Hike through one of the island s volcanic calderas, surrounded by craggy mountain peaks and home to a wide variety of endemic flora. In the town of Saint-Leu, visit the recently renovated Musée Stella Matutina, housed in a former sugar factory, and learn about Réunion s history of sugar production. Cruise the waters surrounding the island by catamaran, and sample the unique curries and stews of Creole cuisine.
DAYS 15-17 Andasibe Hotel or Anjajavy L'Hotel Due to its natural isolation from the mainland, nearly 80 percent of the flora and fauna in Madagascar is endemic. Choose to visit Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, a dense rain forest where you will have a chance to encounter the largest species of lemur, a variety of birds and wild orchids. Or take a charter flight to the Anjajavy Peninsula, an unspoiled nature preserve home to 1,800 floral species, as well as the Coquerel s sifaka lemur, which hops along the ground on two legs. Cap off your adventure with cocktails and dinner, accompanied by a performance by local dancers. DAYS 18-19 Polana Serena Hotel Mozambique is one of Africa s undiscovered jewels. In Maputo s historic downtown area, visit the elegant train station and the Iron House, thought to be designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel. Peruse the National Art Museum s collection of contemporary works, or seek out a souvenir at a local handicrafts market. Opt to snorkel the crystal-clear waters off Inhaca Island in Maputo Bay for a chance to spot several varieties of reef fish and turtles, and learn about the island s biodiversity at a biology research station. DAYS 20-22 Banyan Tree Seychelles With its unspoiled beaches and idyllic waters, the Seychelles is a tropical paradise. Spot rare and native orchids at the National Botanical Gardens and learn about conservation efforts at the Natural History Museum. Take a guided tour through the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin, home to the coco de mer palms unique to the island. Or travel by boat to La Digue, a biologically diverse island known for the monolithic granite rocks that line its beaches. DAYS 23-24 Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Our journey ends in Amsterdam where we return to the timeless elegance of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam for an overnight stay before catching an independent flight home the following day. QT INSIDER Follow in the footsteps of great explorers, crossing miles and spanning centuries on our custom-configured private jet. 24 days from GBP 91,500 / per person, double occupancy ( 9,150 single supplement) BEST TIME TO TRAVEL January February March April May June July August September October November December LOCATION