Titan HiTours launches ‘National Geographic Journeys’
Titan HiTours, the escorted tours specialist, has released the first of its new National Geographic Journeys brochures in conjunction with the National Geographic Society. The new programme of exclusive holidays contains an inspiring collection of exceptional journeys, each accompanied by a National Geographic expert to ensure a rewarding, insightful holiday quite unlike anything else on the market.The first National Geographic Journeys brochure is Africa & the Near East 2009/10, featuring wonderful wildlife, ancient civilisations and spectacular landscapes in countries as varied as Jordan, Rwanda, Namibia and South Africa.
Over its 120-year history, the National Geographic Society has delivered to a worldwide audience fascinating stories about diverse cultures, wildlife conservation, scientific discoveries and exploration of the planet’s most remote and breathtaking regions. Now, National Geographic Journeys offer travellers the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of great explorers and discover the wonders of the world, National Geographic-style.
What makes these holidays exceptional are the memorable – and often unique – experiences included in each itinerary, such as private access to museums and attractions, meetings with National Geographic contacts and experts around the world or specially-arranged dinners in awe-inspiring locations. In addition to specialist guidance, travellers will enjoy the finest hotels in their class, comfortable transportation, the award-winning VIP Home Departure Service (with transfers to and from their own front door) and, of course, the high levels of quality, customer satisfaction and value for money for which Titan HiTours is renowned.
The first tour featured, the 12-day ‘Temples, Treasures & Tombs: The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt’, leads in at £2,498 per person and provides a good example of how a National Geographic Journey differs from a standard escorted tour. Departing in June, September and December 2009, and January and February 2010, this outstanding tour includes expert guiding by an authority on ancient Egyptian art, an exclusive visit to Luxor’s amazing Tomb of Queen Nefertari (usually closed to the public, now restored to its original glory and as vibrantly colourful as it was 3,000 years ago), private access to the Great Pyramid and Sphinx enclosure, and a private talk by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr Zahi Hawass.
Other options include the 15-day ‘Natural Wonders of Namibia’ tour, which features visits to towering sand dunes, Stone Age artwork and wildlife-rich reserves as well as private, torch-lit dinners at Sossusvlei and Etosha, a private visit to the Gobabeb Desert Research Centre and tracking wild leopard at Erindi Game Reserve. The first departure is in June 2009 and costs £4,298 per person to include all flights, accommodation, meals and excursions plus the services of a Titan tour manager, a National Geographic expert and the VIP Home Departure Service.
Alternatively, take the 18-day ‘Rainbow Nation Revealed’ tour, which uncovers South Africa’s fascinating and turbulent history through the eyes of its various peoples. Unforgettable elements include a journey aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail, a meeting with a traditional isAngoma (mystic-healer) in Soweto and an exclusive visit to the Sterkfontein Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site credited as being the ‘Cradle of Humankind’. This tour departs on selected dates from September 2009 and costs from £5,498 per person, covering all flights, accommodation, transfers, most meals, plus the services of a Titan tour manager, a National Geographic expert and the VIP Home Departure Service.
In every destination, hotels, lodges and partners have been carefully selected both for the exceptional quality of the services they provide, and for their support of local charities, community initiatives and conservation trusts. Participation in a National Geographic Journey provides support to National Geographic’s mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education and scientific research.
In addition, through this alliance, holidaymakers in the UK will have the opportunity to travel on any of National Geographic’s expedition ships operated by Lindblad Expeditions, when a second brochure (National Geographic Journeys by Sea) is launched in January 2009. These voyages will be aboard the new, state-of-the-art National Geographic Explorer which plies the seas from Antarctica and South Georgia to the Seychelles, and on other ships in the fleet, exploring destinations such as the Galápagos Islands, Alaska’s fjords, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal.
National Geographic Journeys will be bookable online (ngjourneys.co.uk) and in person, with a staff of expert personal travel consultants at the new National Geographic retail store at 83-97 Regent Street, London, which offers a range of products from casual travel gear to expedition-quality apparel, and also features an exhibition area, auditorium, tapas café and photography studio.
Commenting on the launch brochure, Richard Tarrant, Titan HiTours’ Affinity Manager said, “We are so privileged to be working with National Geographic on this wonderful product. Not only will British travellers have the chance to enjoy extraordinary, expert-led holidays full of unforgettable experiences to the world’s most beautiful and inspiring places, they will also be directly helping local communities and supporting National Geographic’s mission to inspire people to care about the planet.”
Lynn Cutter, Senior Vice President, Travel and Business Development at National Geographic, said, “We are delighted to be working with Titan HiTours to extend our successful travel programme into the UK market. We look forward to offering our unique brand of trips, blending exploration and learning, to this discerning new audience.”
For more information, log on to NGjourneys.co.uk.